Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
POLITICALLAW
A.THECONSTITUTION
DEFINITION,NATUREANDCONCEPTS
Q:WhatisPoliticalLaw?
A:Itisthatbranchofpubliclawwhichdealswith
the organization and operations of the
governmentalorgansoftheStateanddefinesits
relations with the inhabitants of the territory.
(People v. Perfecto, G.R. No. L18463, October 4,
1922)
Q:Whatisthescopeofpoliticallaw?
A:
1. Politicallaw
2. Constitutionallaw
3. Administrativelaw
4. Lawonmunicipalcorporations
5. Lawonpublicofficers
6. Electionlaws
7. Publicinternationallaw
Q:WhatistheConstitution?
Q:HowisthePhilippineConstitutionclassified?
A:
1. Verba legis whenever possible, the
wordsusedintheConstitutionmustbe
given their ordinary meaning except
wheretechnicaltermsareemployed.
3.
Q:Incaseofdoubt,howshouldtheConstitution
beconstrued?
Q:StatethelegaldistinctionsbetweenEDSA1
and2.
A:
EDSA1
EDSA2
Astopowerinvolvedorexercisedbythepeople
Exerciseofthepeople
poweroffreedomof
speechandofassembly,
Exerciseofthepeople
topetitionthe
powerofrevolution
governmentforredressof
grievances
Effectofexerciseofthepowerinvolved
Overthrowsthewhole
government
OnlyaffectedtheOffice
ofthePresident
Judicialreview
Extraconstitutional.
Thelegitimacyofthe
newgovernmentthat
resultedfromitcannot
bethesubjectof
judicialreview.
Intraconstitutional.
Theresignationofthe
sittingPresidentthatit
causedandthesuccession
oftheVPasPresidentare
subjecttojudicialreview.
Natureofquestioninvolved
Presentedapolitical
Involveslegalquestions.
question.
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
PARTS
A:
1. ConstitutionofSovereigntythisrefers
to the provisions pointing out the
modesorprocedureinaccordancewith
which formal changes in the
Constitution may be made (Art. XVII,
AmendmentsorRevisions)
AMENDMENTANDREVISION
Q:Distinguishamendmentfromrevision.
A:
AMENDMENT
REVISION
Isolatedorpiecemeal
changemerelyby
adding,deleting,or
reducingwithout
alteringthebasic
principleinvolved
Arevamporrewriting
ofthewhole
instrumentalteringthe
substantialentiretyof
theConstitution
A:
1. Quantitative test asks whether the
proposed change is so extensive in its
provisions as to change directly the
substantialentiretyoftheConstitution
by the deletion or alteration of
numerous existing provisions. One
examinesonlythenumberofprovisions
affected and does not consider the
degreeofthechange.
A:
1. Proposal
a. ByCongressuponavoteofofall
its members acting as Constituent
Assembly(ConAss)
SinceConAssowestheirexistenceto
the Constitution, the courts may
determinewhethertheassemblyhas
acted in accordance with the
Constitution.
b.
By Constitutional
(ConCon)
Convention
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
THE CONSTITUTION
Note:CongressmaycallaConCon:
1.
Byavoteof2/3ofall
itsmembers;or
2.
By a majority vote of
all its members, submit such
questiontotheelectorate.
Congress,asaConAssandtheConConhasnopower
to appropriate money for their expenses. Money
maybespentfromthetreasuryonlypursuanttoan
appropriationmadebylaw.
c.
2.
RatificationAmendmentsorrevisions
totheConstitutionshouldberatifiedby
themajorityinaplebiscitewhichshould
be held not earlier than 60 days nor
laterthan90daysaftertheapprovalof
suchamendment.
Q:WhatistheDoctrineofProperSubmission?
a.R.A.6735
INITIATIVEANDREFERENDUMLAW
Q:Whatisinitiative?
A: It is the power of the people to propose
amendments to the Constitution or to propose
andenactlegislation.
A:
2. Initiative on statutesrefers to a
petitiontoenactanationallegislation
Note:Section2(b)ofR.A.6735providesfor:
1. Indirect Initiative exercise of initiative by the
peoplethroughapropositionsenttoCongress
orthelocallegislativebodyforaction
Q:WhatistheruleonLocalinitiative?
A:Incaseof:
1. Autonomous regions not less than
2,000registeredvoters
2. Provinces and Cities not less than
1,000registeredvoters
3. Municipalities not less than 100
registeredvoters
4. Barangaysnotlessthan50
mayfileapetitionwiththeRegionalAssemblyor
local legislative body, respectively, proposing the
adoption, enactment, repeal, or amendment, of
any law, ordinance or resolution. (Sec. 13 RA
6735)
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
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V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
Q:WhatarethelimitationsonLocalinitiative?
A:
1. The power of local initiative shall not be
exercisedmorethanonceayear;
2. Initiative shall extend only to subjects or
matters which are within the legal matters
which are within the legal powers of the
locallegislativebodiestoenact;and
3. If any time before the initiative is held, the
local legislative body shall adopt in toto the
propositionpresented,theinitiativeshallbe
cancelled. However, those against such
action may if they so desire, apply for
initiative.
Q:Whatisreferendum?
A:Itisthepoweroftheelectoratetoapproveor
reject legislation through an election called for
thatpurpose.
Q:Whatarethetwo(2)classesofreferendum?
A:
1. Referendum on Statutes refers to a
petition to approve or reject a law, or
partthereof,passedbyCongress
A:
INITIATIVE
Thepowerofthepeople
toproposeamendments
totheConstitutionorto
propose and enact
legislations through an
election called for the
purpose.
REFERENDUM
The power of the
legislation through an
election called for the
purpose. (Sec. 3, R.A.
No.6735[1989])
LOCALINITIATIVE
The
legal
process
whereby the registered
voters of a local
government unit may
directly propose, enact,
oramendanyordinance
(Sec.120)
LOCALREFERENDUM
The
legal
process
whereby the registered
voters of the local
government units may
approve, amend or
reject any ordinance
enacted
by
the
Sanggunian(Sec.126)
SELFEXECUTINGANDNONSELFEXECUTING
Q:Whatconstitutionalprovisionsareconsidered
SelfExecutingandNonSelfExecuting?
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
B.GENERALCONSIDERATIONS
NATIONALTERRITORY
Q:WhatisTerritory?
Q:WhatcomprisesthePhilippineterritory?
A:
1. The Philippine archipelago that body
of water studded with islands which is
delineated in the Treaty of Paris, as
amended by the Treaty of Washington
andtheTreatywithGreatBritain.
CONSISTSOF
a.Terrestrial
b.Fluvial
c.Aerial
Domains
INCLUDINGITS
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
TerritorialSea
Seabed
Subsoil
Insularshelves
Other
Submarine
areas
2.
A:
1. TerrestrialDomain
2. MaritimeDomain
3. AerialDomain
ARCHIPELAGICDOCTRINE
Q:WhatisanArchipelagicState?
A:Itisastateconstitutedwhollybyoneormore
archipelagosandmayincludeotherislands.
Q:WhatistheArchipelagicDoctrineandwhere
isitfoundinthe1987PhilippineConstitution?
A:Itisdefinedasallwaters,aroundbetweenand
connecting different islands belonging to the
PhilippineArchipelago,irrespectiveoftheirwidth
ordimension,arenecessaryappurtenancesofits
land territory, forming an integral part of the
nationalorinlandwaters,subjecttotheexclusive
sovereigntyofthePhilippines.
nd
It is found in the 2 sentenceof Article 1 of the
1987Constitution.
A:Itemphasizestheunityofthelandandwaters
by defining an archipelago as group of islands
surrounded by waters or a body of waters
studdedwithislands.
1. TerritorialIntegrity
2. NationalSecurity
3. Economicreasons
Note:Themainpurposeofthearchipelagicdoctrine
is to protect the territorial interests of an
archipelago, that is, to protect the territorial
integrityofthearchipelago.Withoutit,therewould
be pockets of high seas between some of our
islandsandislets,thusforeignvesselswouldbeable
to pass through these pockets of seas and would
have no jurisdiction over them. Accordingly, if we
followtheoldruleofinternationallaw,itispossible
thatbetweenislands,e.g.BoholandSiquijor,dueto
the more than 24 mile distance between the 2
islands,theremaybehighseas.Thus,foreignvessels
mayjustenteranytimeatwill,posingdangertothe
security of the State. However, applying the
doctrine, even these bodies of water within the
baseline, regardless of breadth, form part of the
archipelago and are thus considered as internal
waters.
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
Q:DoyouconsidertheSpratlysgroupofIslands
aspartofourNationalTerritory?
A:Yes.ArticleIoftheConstitutionprovides:The
national territory comprises the Philippine
archipelago, x x x, and all other territories over
which the Philippines has sovereignty or
jurisdiction, x x x. The Spratlys Group of islands
falls under the second phrase and all other
territories over which the Philippines has
sovereignty or jurisdiction. It is part of our
national territory because Philippines exercise
sovereignty (through election of public officials)
overSpratlysGroupofIslands.
Q:CantheStatewaiveitsimmunity?
A:Yes,expresslyorimpliedly.
2.
DOCTRINEOFSTATEIMMUNITY
Q:WhatistheDoctrineofStateImmunity?
A:Itreflectsnothinglessthanrecognitionofthe
sovereign character of the State and an express
affirmation of the unwritten rule effectively
insulating it from the jurisdiction of courts. It is
based on the very essence of sovereignty.
(Department of Agriculture v. NLRC, G.R. No.
104269,November11,1993)
Note: There can be no legal right against the
authority which makes the law on which the right
depends (Republic vs. Villasor, GRN L30671,
November 28, 1973). However, it may be sued if it
givesconsent,whetherexpressorimplied.
ImpliedconsentisgivenwhentheState
itself commences litigation or when it
enters into a contract. There is an
implied consent when the state enters
into a business contract. (US v. Ruiz,
G.R.No.L35645May22,1985)
Note:Thisruleisnotabsolute.
A:
1. WhentheRepublicissuedbyname;
2. When the suit is against an
unincorporatedgovernmentagency;
3. When the suit is on its face against a
governmentofficerbutthecaseissuch
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
thatultimateliabilitywillbelongnotto
the officer but to the government.
(Republic v. Sandoval, G.R. No. 84607,
Mar.19,1993)
A:No.Thecorrectruleisthatnotallgovernment
entitieswhethercorporateornoncorporate,are
immune from suits. Immunity from suit is
determined by the character of the objects for
which the entity is organized. When the
governmententersintoacommercialbusiness,it
abandons its sovereign capacity and is to be
treated like any other corporation. In this case,
the State divested itself of its sovereign capacity
when it organized the PNR which is no different
from its predecessors, the Manila Railroad
Company. (Malang v. PNRC, G.R. No. L49930,
August7,1985)
A:
Unincorporated
GovernmentAgency
Performing
Governmental
Functions
Immunity has been
upheld in its favor
because its function is
governmental
or
incidental to such
function
Unincorporated
GovernmentAgency
PerformingProprietary
Functions
Immunity has not been
upheld in its favor
whose function was not
inpursuitofanecessary
function of government
but was essentially a
business.
(Air
Transportation Office v.
Spouses David, G.R. No.
159402, February 23,
2011)
Q:Whenisasuitagainstapublicofficialdeemed
tobeasuitagainsttheState?
GR:Theruleisthatthesuitmustberegardedas
one against the state where the satisfaction of
thejudgmentagainstthepublicofficialconcerned
will require the state to perform a positive act,
suchasappropriationoftheamountnecessaryto
paythedamagesawardedtotheplaintiff.
XPNs:Theruledoesnotapplywhere:
1. The public official is charged in his
official capacity for acts that are
unlawful and injurious to the rights of
others.Publicofficialsarenotexempt,
intheirpersonalcapacity,fromliability
arising from acts committed in bad
faith;or
2. Thepublicofficialisclearlybeingsued
not in his official capacity but in his
personal capacity, although the acts
complained of may have been
committedwhileheoccupiedapublic
position. (Lansang vs.CA, G.R. No.
102667,February23,2000)
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
A:No.Irrigationisaproprietaryfunction.Besides,
the NLIA has a juridical personality separate and
distinct from the government, a suit against it is
not a suit against the State. (Fontanilla v.
Maliaman,G.R.Nos.55963&61045,February27,
1991)
A:WhentheStategivesitsconsenttobesued,
all it does is to give the other party an
opportunity to show that the State is liable.
Accordingly,thephrasethatwaiverofimmunity
by the State does not mean a concession of
liabilitymeansthatbyconsentingtobesued,the
Statedoesnotnecessarilyadmitthatitisliable.
Q:Isthereanydistinctionbetweensuabilityand
liabilityoftheState?
A:Yes.
GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES
a.Incorporatedagencies
SUABILITY
Dependsontheconsent
oftheStatetobesued
Q:Inwhatinstancesmayapublicofficerbesued
withouttheStatesconsent?
A:
1. Tocompelhimtodoanactrequiredby
law
2. To restrain him from enforcing an act
claimedtobeunconstitutional
3. To compel payment of damages from
an already appropriated assurance
fund or to refund tax overpayments
from a fund already available for the
purpose
4. To secure a judgment that the officer
impleaded may satisfy the judgment
himselfwithouttheStatehavingtodoa
positiveacttoassisthim
5. Where the government itself has
violated its own laws because the
doctrine of State immunity cannot be
usedtoperpetrateaninjustice
LIABILITY
Depends
on
the
applicable law and the
establishedfacts
The State can never be
held liable if it is not
suable.
A:
1. Public officers their acts without or in
excessofjurisdiction:anyinjurycausedby
him is his own personal liability and
cannotbeimputedtotheState.
2. Governmentagenciesestablishwhether
or not the State, as principal which may
ultimately be held liable, has given its
consent.
b.
Unincorporated
governmentagencies
c.Juregestionis
d.Jureimperii
SUABILITY
testofsuabilityisstated
in their charters. If its
charter says so, it is
suable
suable if the nature of
their acts is proprietary
innature
by right of economic or
business relation = may
besued
by right of sovereign
power,intheexerciseof
sovereign functions =
cannotbesued
ActaJureImperii
ActaJureGestionis
Thereisnowaiver.
There is waiver of State
immunityfromsuit.
The State is acting The State entered into a
in its sovereign contract in its commercial
orproprietarycapacity.The
governmental
State descended to the
capacity.
levelofaprivateentity.
3.
GovernmentdoctrineofState immunity
is available; nonsuability of the State is
availabletotheagencyevenifitisshown
thatitisengagednotonlyingovernment
functions but also, as a sideline, or
incidentally,inproprietaryenterprises.
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Q:Whatisthetruetestindeterminingwhether
asuitagainstapublicofficerisasuitagainstthe
State?
A:Thetestisthat,ifapublicofficeroragencyis
sued and made liable, the State will have to
perform an affirmative act of appropriating the
needed amount to satisfy the judgment. If the
Statedoesso,then,itisasuitagainsttheState.
Q:Isgarnishmentofgovernmentfundsallowed?
A:
GR: No. Whether the money is deposited by
wayofgeneralorspecialdeposit,theyremain
government funds and are not subject to
garnishment.
Q:CantheGovernmentbemadetopayinterest
inmoneyjudgmentsagainstit?
A:
GR:No.
XPNs:
1. Eminentdomain
2. Erroneouscollectionoftaxes
3. Where government agrees to pay
interestpursuanttolaw.
privatepropertyshallnotbetakenforpublicuse
without just compensation will be rendered
nugatory.(Ministeriovs.CourtofFirstInstance,L
31635,August31,1971)
PRINCIPLESANDPOLICIES
Q:AretheprovisionsinArticleIIselfexecuting?
Q:WhatisaRepublicanState?
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
2.
3.
Q:WhatistheStatepolicyregardingwar?
Q:DoesthePhilippinesrenouncedefensivewar?
A:
1. Section 14, Article XIII of the Constitution
provides:"TheStateshallprotectworking
10
4.
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
5.
includinglandsofthepublicdomainunder
leaseorconcessionsuitabletoagriculture,
subjecttopriorrights,homesteadrightsof
smallsettlers,andtherightsofindigenous
communitiestotheirancestrallands.
Subsection2,Section3,ArticleXIVofthe
Constitution states: "They (educational
institutions)shallinculcatepatriotismand
nationalism, foster love of humanity,
respect for human rights, appreciation of
theroleofnationalheroesinthehistorical
development of the country, teach the
rightsanddutiesofcitizenship,strengthen
ethicalandspiritualvalues,developmoral
character and personal discipline,
encourage critical and creative thinking,
broaden scientific and technological
knowledge, and promote vocational
efficiency."
A:Yes,the1987Constitutionprovidesforapolicy
oftransparencyinmattersofpublicinterest:
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
11
Q:WhatistheDoctrineofIncorporation?
Q:WhatistheDoctrineofAutolimitation?
A:ItisthedoctrinewherethePhilippinesadhere
toprinciplesofinternationallawasalimitationto
theexerciseofitssovereignty.
12
Q:Howisciviliansupremacyensured?
A:
1. By the installation of the President, the
highestcivilianauthority,asthecommander
inchief of all the armed forces of the
Philippines. (Sec. 18, Art. VII, 1987
Constitution)
2.Throughtherequirementthatmembersof
the AFP swear to uphold and defend the
Constitution, which is the fundamental law
ofcivilgovernment.(Sec.5[1],Art.XVI,1987
Constitution)
A:
1. The nonestablishment clause. (Sec. 5 of
Art.III)
2. Sectoral representation in the House of
Representatives. Various sectors may be
represented except the religious sector.
(Par.2,Sec.5ofArt.VI)
3. Religiousgroupsshallnotberegisteredas
political parties. (Par. 5, Sec. 2, Art. IXC,
1987Constitution)
2. Whenpriest,preacher,ministerordignitaryis
assigned to the armed forces, or any penal
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Q:WhatistheStrictSeparationistApproach?
A:Underthisapproach,theestablishmentclause
wasmeanttoprotecttheStatefromthechurch,
and the States hostility towards religion allows
no interaction between the two. (Estrada v.
Escritor,A.M.No.P021651,June22,2006)
Q:WhatistheStrictNeutralityApproach?
Q:WhatisthetheoryofBenevolentNeutrality?
Q:WhattheoryisappliedinthePhilippines?
A:Thosewhichare:
1. Found to be constitutionally compelled,
i.e. required by the Free Exercise Clause
(mandatory),
2. Discretionary or legislative, i.e. not
required by the Free Exercise Clause
(permissive),
3. Prohibited by the religion clauses
(prohibited).
Note:Basedontheforegoing,andafterholdingthat
the Philippine Constitution upholds the benevolent
neutralitydoctrinewhichallowsforaccommodation,
the Court laid down the rule that in dealing with
cases involving purely conduct based on religious
belief, it shall adopt the strictcompelling State
interest test because it is most in line with the
benevolentneutralityaccommodation.
Q:WhatisMandatoryAccommodation?
Q:WhatisPermissiveAccommodation?
Q:WhatisProhibitedAccommodation?
A:ThisresultswhentheCourtfindsnobasisfora
mandatoryaccommodation,oritdeterminesthat
the legislative accommodation runs afoul of the
establishment or the free exercise clause. In this
case,theCourtfindsthatestablishmentconcerns
prevailoverpotentialaccommodationinterests.
Note:Thepurposeofaccommodationsistoremove
aburdenon,orfacilitatetheexerciseof,apersons
orinstitutionsreligions.
SEPARATIONOFPOWERS
Q:Whatisthepurposeofseparationofpowers?
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
13
A:
Executive
Legislative
Judiciary
Imple
mentationof
laws
(Powerofthe
sword)
Makingoflaws
(Powerofthe
purse)
Interpretation
oflaws
(Powerof
judicialreview)
Q:Agroupoflosinglitigantsinacasedecidedby
theSCfiledacomplaintbeforetheOmbudsman
charging the Justices with knowingly and
deliberatelyrenderinganunjustdecisioninutter
violation of the penal laws of the land. Can the
Ombudsmanvalidlytakecognizanceofthecase?
14
Q:WhatistheprincipleofBlendingofPowers?
A:Itisaninstancewhenpowersarenotconfined
exclusively within one department but are
assignedtoorsharedbyseveraldepartments.
CHECKSANDBALANCES
Q:WhatistheprincipleofChecksandBalances?
Q:HowdoestheExecutiveChecktheothertwo
branches?
A:
EXECUTIVECHECK
Judiciary
1. Through its power of
pardon, it may set aside
the judgment of the
Through its
judiciary.
vetopower
2. Also by power of
appointment power to
appoint members of the
Judiciary.
Legislative
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
A:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
LEGISLATIVECHECK
Executive
Judiciary
Override the Revoke or amend the
veto of the decisionsbyeither:
1.Enactinganewlaw
President
Reject certain 2. Amending the old law,
giving
it
certain
appointments
definition
and
made by the
interpretation different
president
fromtheold
Revoke
the 3. Impeachment of SC
members
proclamation
of martial law
or suspension
of the writ of
habeascorpus
Impeachment
4.
Define,
prescribe,
apportion jurisdiction of
lowercourts:
a.
Prescribe
the
qualifications of
lower
court
judges
b. Impeachment
c. Determination of
salariesofjudges.
Determine the
salaries of the
president or
vicepresident
A:
JUDICIALCHECK
Executive
Legislative
It may declare (through the SC
as the final arbiter) the acts of
both the legislature and
executive as unconstitutional
or invalid so long as there is
graveabuseofdiscretion.
Note:Oftentimes,duetotheprincipleofseparation
ofpowers,theSupremeCourtrefusestopassupon
theconstitutionalityofthelawssolongasitcanuse
otherbasisfordecidingthecase.
Thefirstandsafestcriteriontodeterminewhethera
given power has been validly exercised by a
particular department is whether or not the power
has been constitutionally conferred upon the
department claiming its exercise. However, even in
the absence of express conferment, the exercise of
the power may be justified under the Doctrine of
Necessary Implication the grant of express power
carried with it all other powers that may be
reasonablyinferredfromit.
DELEGATIONOFPOWERS
Q:Canadelegatedpowerberedelegated?
A:
GR:No.Delegatedpowerconstitutesnotonly
a right but a duty to be performed by the
delegate through the instrumentality of his
own judgment and not through the
interveningmindofanother.
XPN:Permissibledelegations:PETAL
3. CongressmaydelegateTariffpowersto
thePresident.(Sec.28(2),Art.VI)
Note:TheTariffandCustomsCodeisthe
enabling law that grants such powers to
thepresident.
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
15
4.
5.
DelegationtoLocalGovernmentsItis
not regarded as a transfer of general
legislative power, but rather as the
grant of authority to prescribe local
regulations.
Note:Congresscanonlydelegate,usually
to administrative agencies, RuleMaking
Power.
Q:Whatarethetwotestsofvaliddelegation?
A:
1. Completeness Test law must be
complete in all essential terms and
conditions when it leaves the
legislature so that there will be
nothing left for the delegate to do
when it reaches him except to
enforceit.
16
A:ThePresidentsauthorityto:
DeclareaStateof
NationalEmergency
Granted
by
the
Constitution,
no
legitimate objection can
beraised.
ExerciseEmergency
Powers
Requires a delegation
from Congress. (David,
et al. v. Gloria
MacapagalArroyo, et
al., G.R. No. 171396,
May3,2006)
Note: Conferment of
emergency powers on
the President is not
mandatoryonCongress.
FORMSOFGOVERNMENT
2.Thegovernmentorcabinetconsistingofthe
politicalleadersofthemajoritypartyorofa
coalition who are also members of the
legislature, is in effect a committee of the
legislature;
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
4.Thegovernmentorcabinetremainsinpower
only for so long as it enjoys the support of
themajorityofthelegislature;
Q:WhatarethefunctionsoftheGovernment?
A:
1.
2.
Q:Whataretheclassificationsofgovernmenton
thebasisoflegitimacy?
A:
1. De jure government. A government
truly and lawfully established by the
ConstitutionofaStatebutwhichhaving
been in the meantime displaced is
actuallycutofffrompowerorcontrol.
2. De facto government. A government of
fact; one actually exercising power and
control in the State as opposed to the
trueandlawfulgovernment.
Q:Whatarethekindsofadefactogovernment?
A:
1. Defactopropergovernmentthatgets
possessionandcontrolof,orusurps,by
force or by the voice of the majority,
the rightful legal government and
maintains itself against the will of the
latter;
2. Government of paramount force
established and maintained by military
forces who invade and occupy a
territory of the enemy in the course of
war;and
3. Independent government established
by the inhabitants of the country who
rise in insurrection against the parent
State.(KopKimChamv.ValdezTanKey,
G.R.No.L5,Sept.17,1945)
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
17
C.LEGISLATIVEDEPARTMENT
Q:Towhatbodyislegislativepowervested?
A:
GR:Congress
Q:Whataretheclassesoflegislativepower?
A:ODeCO
1. Original: Possessed by the people in
their sovereign capacity i.e. initiative
andreferendum.
2. Delegated: Possessed by Congress and
otherlegislativebodiesbyvirtueofthe
Constitution.
3. Constituent: The power to amend or
revisetheConstitution.
4. Ordinary: The power to pass ordinary
laws.
A:
1. Substantive: limitations on the content
oflaws.
2. Procedural: limitations on the manner
ofpassinglaws.
3. Congresscannotpassirrepealablelaws.
4. Congress, as a general rule, cannot
delegateitslegislativepower.
Note:TheCongressofthePhilippinesisabicameral
body composed of a Senate and House of
Representatives, the first being considered as the
upperhouseandthesecondthelowerhouse.
HOUSESOFCONGRESS
Compositions,QualificationsandTermsofOffice
A:
SENATE
HoR
Composition
24 Senators (elected Not more than 250
at large by qualified members,unlessotherwise
providedbylaw.
Filipinovoters)
Qualifications
1.
Naturalborn 1. Naturalborn citizen of
18
thePhils.
2. At least 25 years of age
onthedayofelection.
3.Abletoreadandwrite.
4. Except the partylist
reps, a registered voter
in the district in which
heshallbeelected.
5. Resident thereof for a
periodofnotlessthan1
year
immediately
proceeding the day of
theelection.
Termofoffice
6 years, commencing
at noon on the 30th
3 years, commencing at
day of June next
noon on the 30th day of
following
their
June next following their
election.
election.
Termlimit:Onlyupto
Term limit: No member of
2 consecutive terms.
the HoR shall serve for
However, they may
more than 3 consecutive
serveformorethan2
terms.
terms provided that
A:
Senate
1.NoSenatorshallserve
for more than 2
consecutive
terms.
Voluntary renunciation
of the office for any
length of time shall not
be considered as an
interruption in the
continuity of his service
for the full term for
which he was elected
(Section4,ArticleVI).
a.Subversion;
b.Insurrection;
c.Rebellion;
d.Anyoffensefor
whichhehasbeen
sentencedtoa
HoR
1. Shall not serve for
more than three (3)
consecutive terms (Sec.
7,ArticleVI).
a.Subversion;
b.Insurrection;
c.Rebellion;
d.Anyoffensefor
whichhehasbeen
sentencedtoa
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
penaltyofnotmore
than18months;or
e. A crime involving
moral
turpitude,
unless given plenary
pardonor
granted
amnesty.
(Section12,BP881)
penaltyofnotmore
than18months;or
e.Acrime
involvingmoral
turpitude,unless
givenplenarypardon
orgranted
amnesty.(Section12,
BP881)
A:
DistrictRepresentative
1.
2.
A:
SENATORS
MEMBERSOFTHE
HOUSEOF
REPRESENTATIVES
(HoR)
Expulsion by the House
is with the concurrence
of 2/3 of all its
members. (Sec. 16, par.
3,Art.VI)
Q:Whatistheruleonvoluntaryrenunciationof
officeforanylengthoftime?
A:Itshallnotbeconsideredasaninterruptionin
the continuity of his service for the full term for
whichhewaselected(Sec.4,ArticleVI).
HouseofRepresentatives(HoR)
Q:WhatisthecompositionofHoR?
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Partylist
Representative
Elected according 1.
to
legislative
district by the
constituents
of
suchdistrict;
Must be a resident
of his legislative
district for at least
1 year immediately
before
the
election;
Elected personally,
byname;
Does not lose seat
if he/she changes
2.
partyoraffiliation;
In case of vacancy,
a special election
may
be
held 3.
provided that the
vacancytakesplace
at least 1 year
before the next
election;
A
district
representative is
notpreventedfrom
running again as a 4.
district
representative if
he/she lost during
the
previous
election;and
A
change
in
affiliation within
months prior to
election does not
prevent a district
representative
fromrunningunder 5.
hisnewparty.
6.
7.
Elected nationally
with
partylist
organizations
garnering at least
3%ofallvotescast
for the partylist
system entitled to
1 seat, which is
increased
according
to
proportional
representation, but
is in no way to
exceed 3 seats per
organization;
No
special
residency
requirement;
Voted upon by
party
or
organization. It is
only when a party
is entitled to
representation
that it designates
who will sit as
representative;
If he/she changes
party or affiliation,
loses his seat, in
which case he/she
will be substituted
by
another
qualified person in
the
party
/organization
based on the list
submitted to the
COMELEC;
In case of vacancy,
a substitution will
be made within the
party, based on the
listsubmittedtothe
COMELEC;
A
partylist
representative
cannot sit if he ran
and lost in the
previous election;
and
A
change
in
affiliation within 6
months prior to
election prohibits
the
partylist
representatives
from listing as
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
19
representative
underhisnewparty
ororganization.
DISTRICTREPRESENTATIVESANDQUESTIONSOF
APPORTIONMENT
Q:Whoaredistrictrepresentatives?
Q:Howarelegislativedistrictsapportioned?
A:Legislativedistrictsareapportionedamongthe
provinces, cities, and the Metropolitan Manila
area. They are apportioned in accordance with
the number of their respect inhabitants and on
the basis of a uniform and progressive ratio.
(Section5,ArticleVI,1987Constitution)
Q:Whataretheconditionsforapportionment?
A:
1. Elected from legislative districts which
areapportionedinaccordancewiththe
numberofinhabitantsofeachareaand
on the basis of a uniform and
progressiveratio:
20
2.
3.
4.
Q:Whatisthereasonforsuchrule?
Q:Howshouldthereapportionmentbemade?
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
Q:WhatisGerrymandering?Isitallowed?
PARTYLISTSYSTEM
Q:DiscussthePartyListSystem.
Afreeandopenpartysystemshallbeallowedto
evolveaccordingtothefreechoiceofthepeople.
(Sec. 2 [5], Art. IXC, 1987 Constitution) Political
parties registered under the partylist system
shall be entitled to appoint poll watchers in
accordance with law. (Sec. 8, Art. IXC, 1987
Constitution)
Q:Discussthedifferentpartiesundertheparty
listsystem
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Q:IfoneweretoanalyzetheConstitutionaland
statutoryexamplesofqualifiedparties,itshould
beevidentthattheyrepresentwhatclasses?
A:
Broad
Definition
Working
Class
*Narrow
Definition
Labor
Economically
Deprived
Urban
Poor
The
Vulnerable
Women
Work
Impaired
Handi
Capped
SpecificallyDefined
Groups
Carpenters,security
guards,microchip
factoryworkers,
barbers,tricycledrivers
Informalsettlers,the
jobless,persons
displacedbydomestic
wars
Workingwomen,
batteredwomen,
victimsofslavery
Deafanddumb,the
blind,peopleon
wheelchairs(Separate
OpinionofJustice
Abad,AngLadladLGBT
Partyv.COMELEC,G.R.
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
21
5.
No.190582,Apr. 8,
2010)
Note:Obviously,thelevelofrepresentationdesired
byboththeConstitutionandR.A.7941fortheparty
list system is the second, the narrow definition of
thesectorthatthelawregardsas"marginalizedand
underrepresented."Theimplicationofthisisthat,if
any of the subgroupings (the carpenters, the
securityguards,themicrochipsfactoryworkers,the
barbers, the tricycle drivers in the example) within
the sector desires to apply for accreditation as a
partylist group, it must compete with other sub
groups forthe seat allotted to the "labor sector" in
the House of Representatives. This is the apparent
intent of the Constitution and the law. (Separate
Opinion of Justice Abad, Ang Ladlad LGBT Party v.
COMELEC,G.R.No.190582,Apr.8,2010)
Q:Whatgroupsaredisqualifiedforregistration?
A:
1. Religiousdenominationsorsects.
2. Those who seek to achieve their goals
throughviolenceorunlawfulmeans.
3. Thosewhorefusetoupholdandadhere
totheConstitution;and
4. Those
supported
by
foreign
governments(AngBagongBayaniOFW
Labor Party, v. COMELEC, G.R. No.
147589,June25,2003)
A:
1. The applying party must show that it
represents the "marginalized and
underrepresented," exemplified by the
working class, the service class, the
economically deprived, the social
outcasts, the vulnerable, the work
impaired, or some such similar class of
persons.
2. The applying party should be
characterized by a shared advocacy for
genuine issues affecting basic human
rights as these apply to the sector it
represents.
3. The applying party must share the
cause of their sector, narrowly defined
as shown above. If such party is a sub
group within that sector, it must
compete with other subgroups for the
seatallocatedtotheirsector.
4. The members of the party seeking
accreditation must have an inherent
regionalornationalpresence.
22
A:Yes.Theirmembersareinthevulnerableclass
like the women and the youth. Ang Ladlad
representsanarrowdefinitionofitsclass(LGBTs)
ratherthanaconcreteandspecificdefinitionofa
subgroup within the class (group of gay
beauticians, for example). The people that Ang
Ladlad seeks to represent have a national
presence.(SeparateOpinionofJusticeAbad,Ang
LadladLGBTPartyv.COMELEC,G.R.No.190582,
Apr.8,2010)
Q:Whatarethegroundsforthecancellationof
registration?
A:
1. Accepting financial contributions from
foreigngovernmentsoragencies;and
2. Failure to obtain at least 10% of the
votes casts in the constituency where
the party fielded candidates. (Ang
Bagong BayaniOFW Labor Party, v.
COMELEC, G.R. No. 147589, June 25,
2003)
Q:Whoshallbevoted?
Q:Whoareelectedintooffice?
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
A:
1. NaturalborncitizenofthePhilippines
2. Registeredvoter
3. ResidentofthePhilippinesforatleast1
year immediately preceding the day of
theelection
4. Abletoreadandwrite
5. Bona fide member of the party or
organization which he seeks to
represent at least 90 days preceding
electionday
6. Atleast25yearsofage.(notmorethan
30 years old for nominees for youth
sector)
Q:Whatistheeffectofchangeofaffiliationany
partylistrepresentative?
Q:DoestheConstitutionprecludeCongressfrom
increasingitsmembership?
Number
of
seats available
Numberof
to legislative
x0.20= seats
districts
availableto
0.80
partylist
representatives
Afterprescribingtheratioofthenumberofparty
list representatives to the total number of
representatives,theConstitutionleftthemanner
of allocating the seats available to partylist
representativesto the wisdom of the legislature.
(BANAT v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 179271, April 21,
2009)
A:Indeterminingtheallocationofseatsforparty
list representatives under Section 11 of R.A. No.
7941,thefollowingprocedureshallbeobserved:
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
23
1.
2.
3.
4.
A:No.TheCourtthereforestrikesdownthetwo
percent threshold only in relation to the
distributionoftheadditionalseatsasfoundinthe
second clause of Section 11 (b) of RA 7941. The
two percent threshold presents an unwarranted
obstacle to the full implementation of Section
5(2), Article VI of the Constitution and prevents
the attainment of the broadest possible
representation of party, sectoral or group
interests in the House of Representatives.
(BANAT v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 179271, April 21,
2009)
LEGISLATIVEPRIVILEGES,INHIBITIONSAND
DISQUALIFICATIONS
a.PARLIAMENTARYIMMUNITIESAND
LEGISLATIVEPRIVILEGES
Q:Whatisimmunityfromarrest?
24
A:Itisnotforthebenefitoftheofficials;rather,it
istoprotectandsupporttherightsofthepeople
by ensuring that their representatives are doing
their jobs according to the dictates of their
conscience. It is indispensable no matter how
powerfultheoffendedpartyis.
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
Q:Isthereimmunityfromsearches?
Q:Whatislegislativeprivilege?
A:Nomembershallbequestionedorheldliable
in any forum other than his/her respective
Congressional body for any debate or speech in
Congress or in any committee thereof. (Sec. 11,
Article VI; Pobre v. Sen. Santiago, A.C. No, 7399,
August25,2009)
A:
1. Protection is only against forum other
thanCongressitself.Thus,fordefamatory
remarks,whichareotherwiseprivileged,a
member may be sanctioned by either the
SenateortheHouseasthecasemaybe.
A:Yes.InParedes,Jr.v.Sandiganbayan,theCourt
held that the accused cannot validly argue that
only his peers in the House of Representatives
can suspend him because the courtordered
suspension is a preventive measure that is
different and distinct from the suspension
ordered by his peers for disorderly behaviour
whichisapenalty.(Paredes,Jr.v.Sandiganbayan,
GR118354,August8,1995)
A:
1. Thattheremarksmustbemadewhilethe
legislature or the legislative committee is
functioning,thatisinsession
Note:Toinvoketheprivilegeofspeech,thematter
mustbeoralandmustbeproventobeindeed
privileged.
Q:Whatdoesspeechordebateencompass?
A:Itincludesavoteorpassageofaresolution,all
the utterances made by Congressmen in the
performance of their functions such as speeches
delivered,statementsmade,orvotescastsinthe
hallsofCongress.Italsoincludesbillsintroduced
inCongress(whetherornotitisinsession)andall
theotherutterances(madeoutsideorinsidethe
premisesofCongress)providedtheyaremadein
accordance with a legislative function. (Jimenez,
v.Cabangbang,G.R.No.L15905,August3,1966)
b.INCOMPATIBLEANDFORBIDDENOFFICES
A:
1. Incompatible office No senator or
member
of
the
House
of
Representatives may hold any other
office or employment in the
Government, or any subdivision,
agency, or instrumentality thereof,
including government owned and
controlled corporations or their
subsidiaries during his term without
forfeiting his seat (Sec. 13, Article VI,
1987Constitution)
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
25
2.
Note:Withthis,evenifthememberofthe
Congress is willing to forfeit his seat
therein, he may not be appointed to any
office in the government that has been
created or the emoluments thereof have
been increased during his term. Such a
positionisforbiddenoffice.Thepurposeis
topreventtraffickinginpublicoffice.
Q:Whileitisperforminghumanitarianfunctions
asanauxiliarytogovernment,istheStructureof
the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) sui
generis?
A:Yes.ANationalSocietypartakesofasuigeneris
character.ItisaprotectedcomponentoftheRed
CrossmovementunderArticles24and26ofthe
First Geneva Convention, especially in times of
armedconflict.Theseprovisionsrequirethatthe
staffofaNationalSocietyshallberespectedand
protectedinallcircumstances.Suchprotectionis
notordinarilyaffordedbyaninternationaltreaty
to ordinary private entities or even non
governmental organizations (NGOs). This sui
generis character is also emphasized by the
Fourth Geneva Convention which holds that an
Occupying Power cannot require any change in
the personnel or structure of a National Society.
National societies are therefore organizations
that are directly regulated by international
humanitarian law, in contrast to other ordinary
privateentities,includingNGOs.
26
TheauxiliarystatusofaRedCrossSocietymeans
that it is at one and the same time a private
institution and a public service organization
because the very nature of its work implies
cooperation with the authorities, a link with the
State. In carrying out their major functions, Red
CrossSocietiesgivetheirhumanitariansupportto
officialbodies,ingeneralhavinglargerresources
than the Societies, working towards comparable
endsinagivensector.(Libanv.Gordon,G.R.No.
175352,January18,2011)
c.PARLIAMENTARYINHIBITIONS&
DISQUALIFICATIONS
A:
1. Personally appearing as counsel
beforeanycourtofjusticeorbeforethe
Electoral Tribunals, or quasijudicial or
otheradministrativebodies.(Sec.14)
2. Upon assumption of office, must make
a full disclosure of financial and
business interests. Shall notify the
Houseconcernedofapotentialconflict
ininterestthatmayarisefromthefiling
of a proposed legislation of which they
areauthors.(Sec.12,ArticleVI)
A:
DISQUALIFICATION
APPLICABLE
WHEN
Legislators
cannot
be
appointed to any office. (Sec.
13,ArticleVI)
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
4.
Legislators
cannot
be
financially interested directly
or indirectly in any contract
with or in any franchise, or
special privilege granted by
the Government, or any
subdivision
agency
or
instrumentality
thereof,
including the GOCC or its
subsidiary.(Sec.14,ArticleVI)
Legislatorscannotintervenein
any matter before any office
of the Govt. (Sec. 14, Article
VI)
Whenitisforhis
pecuniarybenefit
or where he may
becalleduponto
actonaccountof
hisoffice.
SESSIONS
Q:WhenistheregularsessionofCongress?
A:Congressconvenesonceeveryyearonthe4th
MondayofJuly,unlessotherwiseprovidedforby
law. It continues in session for as long as it sees
fit, until 30 days before the opening of the next
regular session, excluding Saturdays, Sundays,
andlegalholidays.(Sec.15,Art.VI)
A:
1. Due to vacancies in the offices of the
President and Vice President at 10
oclock a.m. on the third day after the
vacancies(Sec.10ofArticleVI)
Q:WhatisaMandatoryRecess?
A:
Separate
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Choosing
the
President (Sec. 4,
ArticleVII)
Determining
Presidentsdisability
(Sec.11,ArticleVII)
Confirming
nomination of Vice
President (Sec. 9,
ArticleVI)
Declaring
the
existence of a state
of war in joint
session (Sec. 23,
ArticleVI)
Proposing
Constitutional
amendments (Sec.
1,ArticleXVII)
Joint
1.
2.
When revoking
or extending the
proclamation
suspending the
privilege of writ
ofhabeascorpus
(Sec. 18, Article
VII)
When revoking
or extending the
declaration of
martial law (Sec.
18,ArticleVII).
Q:WhataretheinstanceswhenCongressvotes
otherthanmajority?
A:
INSTANCESWHEN
CONGRESSVOTES
1.Tosuspendorexpela
member in accordance
with its rules and
proceedings
2.ToentertheYeasand
naysintheJournal
3. To declare the
existence of a state of
war
NUMBEROFVOTES
REQUIRED
2/3 of all its members
(Sec.16,ArticleVI)
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
27
5. To determine the
Presidents
disability
after submissions by
both the Cabinet and
thePresident
Q:Whatistheruleonadjournment?
Q:Whatisadjournmentsinedie?
INTERNALGOVERNMENTOFCONGRESS
Q:WhoaretheelectedofficersofCongress?
A:
1. SenatePresident
2. SpeakeroftheHouse
3. Such officers as deemed by each house to
benecessary
Q:Howiselectionofofficersdone?
a.QUORUM
Q:Whatisaquorum?
AlternativeAnswer:
28
Q:Whatistheeffectifthereisnoquorum?
Note:ThemembersoftheCongresscannotcompel
absentmemberstoattendsessionsifthereasonof
absence is a legitimate one. The confinement of a
Congressman charged with a nonbailable offense
(more than 6 years) is certainly authorized by law
and has constitutional foundations (People v.
Jalosjos,G.R.No.13287576,February3,2000)
b.MAJORITYVOTE
Q:Whatdoesmajorityvotemean?
Majorityvotereferstothepoliticalpartywiththe
most number of backings; refer to the party,
faction or organization with the most number of
votes but not necessarily more than one half
(plurality). (Santiago v. Guingona, G.R. No.
134577,November18,1998)
Note:CorollarytoCongresspowertomakerulesis
the power to ignore the same rules when
circumstancessorequire.
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
DISCIPLINEOFMEMBERS
Note:MembersofCongressmayalsobesuspended
by the Sandiganbayan or by the Office of the
Ombudsman. The suspension in the Constitution is
differentfromthesuspensionprescribedinRA3019,
AntiGraftandCorruptPracticesAct.Thelatterisnot
apenaltybutapreliminarypreventivemeasureand
isnotimposeduponthepetitionerformisbehaviour
as a member of Congress. (Santiago v.
Sandiganbayan,G.R.No.128055,Apr.18,2001).
ELECTORALTRIBUNALANDTHECOMMISSION
ONAPPOINTMENTS
a.CONGRESSIONALELECTORALTRIBUNAL
A:
1. 3SupremeCourtJusticesdesignatedby
theChiefJustice
ThemerefactthatthemembersofeithertheSenate
or the House sitting on the electoral tribunal are
thosewhicharesoughttobedisqualifiedduetothe
filing of an election contest against them does not
warrant all of them from being disqualified from
sittingintheET.
Q:Whatisanelectioncontest?
A:ThepowerofeachHousetoexpelitsmembers
or even to defer their oath taking until their
qualifications are determined may still be
exercisedevenwithoutanelectioncontest.
A:Yes.HRETsjurisdictionasthesolejudgeofall
contestsrelatingtoelections,etc.ofmembersof
Congress begins only after a candidate has
become a member of the HoR. Since Imelda has
notyetbeenproclaimed,sheisnotyetamember
of the HoR. Thus, COMELEC retains jurisdiction.
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
29
Q:Whatarethevalidgroundsorjustcausesfor
terminationofmembershiptothetribunal?
A:
1. ExpirationofCongressionaltermofOffice
2. Deathorpermanentdisability
3. Resignation from the political party he
representsinthetribunal
4. Formal affiliation with another political
party
5. Removalfromofficeforothervalidreasons.
(Bondocv.Pineda,G.R.No.97710,Sept.26,
1991)
A:No.SET/HRETmembersareentitledtosecurity
of tenure to ensure their impartiality and
independence.Asjudgemembersofthetribunal,
they must be nonpartisan, they must discharge
their functions with complete detachment;
independence and impartiality, even from the
party to which they belong. Thus, disloyalty to
partyandbreachofpartydisciplinearenotvalid
grounds for expelling a tribunals member. The
members are not supposed to vote along party
linesonce appointed. (Bondoc v. Pineda, G.R.
No.97710,Sept.26,1991)
Note:AmembermaynotbeexpelledbytheHoRfor
party disloyalty short of proof that he has formally
affiliatedwithanotherpoliticalgroup.
30
A:Yes.UnliketheCommissiononAppointments,
the ET shall meet in accordance with their rules,
regardless of whether Congress is in session or
not.
Q:IsthereanappealfromtheETsdecision?
Q:Isthereanyremedyfromitsdecision?
b.COMMISSIONONAPPOINTMENTS(CA)
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
1989).Endorsementisnotsufficienttogetaseat
inCOA.
Q:WhatisthejurisdictionoftheCA?
Q:Whataretherulesonvoting?
A:
1. The CA shall rule by a majority vote of
allthemembers.
2. The chairman shall only vote in case of
tie.
3. The CA shall act on all appointments
within 30 session days from their
submissiontoCongress(Sec.18,Art.VI)
Q:Whatarethelimitationsonconfirmation?
A:
1. Congress cannot by law prescribe that
the appointment of a person to an
officecreatedbysuchlawbesubjectto
confirmationbytheCA.
A:
1. Meetings are held either at the call of
the Chairman or a majority of all its
members.
2. Since the CA is also an independent
constitutional body, its rules of
procedurearealsooutsidethescopeof
congressionalpowersaswellasthatof
the judiciary. (Bondoc v. Pineda, G.R.
No.97710,Sept.26,1991)
Note:TheETandtheCAshallbeconstitutedwithin
30 days after the Senate and the HoR shall have
been organized with the election of the Senate
PresidentandtheSpeakeroftheHouse.
POWERSOFCONGRESS
a.LEGISLATIVEPOWER
Q:WhatarethelegislativepowersofCongress?
A:
1. Generalplenarypower(Sec.1,Art.VI)
2. Specificpowerofappropriation
3. Taxationandexpropriation
4. Legislativeinvestigation
5. Questionhour
Q:WhatisLegislativePower?
Q:Whatarethelimitationsofsuchpower?
A:
1.SUBSTANTIVE
a.Express:
i. Bill of Rights (Article III, 1987
Constitution)
ii. On Appropriations (Sections 25 and
29paragraphs1and2,ArticleVI)
iii. On taxation (Sections 28 and 29,
paragraph3,ArticleVI)
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
31
iv.
On
Constitutional
appellate
jurisdiction of SC (Section 30, Article
VI)
v. No law granting title of royalty or
nobility shall be passed (Section 31,
ArticleVI)
vi. No specific funds shall be
appropriated or paid for use or
benefit of any religion, sect, etc.,
except for priests, etc., assigned to
AFP, penal institutions, etc. (Sections
29,paragraph2,ArticleVI)
b.Implied:
i. Prohibitionagainstirrepealablelaws
ii. Nondelegationofpowers
2.PROCEDURAL
a. Only one subject, to be stated in the
titleofthebill(Sec.26,par.1,ArticleVI)
b. Three (3) readings on separate days;
printedcopiesofthebillinitsfinalform
distributed to members 3 days before
itspassage,exceptifPresidentcertifies
to its immediate enactment to meet a
public calamity or emergency; upon its
last reading, no amendment allowed
and the vote thereon taken
immediately and the yeas and nays
entered into the Journal (Section 26,
paragraph2,ArticleVI)
c. Appropriation bills , revenue bills, tariff
bills, bills authorizing the increase of
publicdebt,billsoflocalapplicationand
privatebillsshalloriginateexclusivelyin
the House of Representatives. (Section
24,Art.VI)
Q:Whatisanappropriationbill?
A:Itisabill,theprimaryandspecificaimofwhich
istoappropriateasumofmoneyfromthepublic
treasury.
Note:Abillcreatinganewoffice,andappropriating
fundsforitisnotanappropriationbill.
Q:Whatisarevenuebill?
Q:Whatisabilloflocalapplication?
32
Q:Whatareprivatebills?
A:Thosewhichaffectprivatepersons,suchasfor
instance a bill granting citizenship to a specific
foreigner(BernasCommentary,p.748,2003).
Q:Howareprivatebillsillustrated?
A:Theyareillustratedbyabillgrantinghonorary
citizenship to a distinguished foreigner (Cruz,
PhilippinePoliticalLaw,p.155,1995).
b.POWEROFAPPROPRIATION
Q:Whatisthepowerofappropriation?
A:Thespendingpower,calledthepowerofthe
purse belongs to Congress, subject only to the
vetopowerofthePresident.Itcarrieswithitthe
power to specify the project or activity to be
fundedundertheappropriationlaw.
Q:Whatisanappropriationlaw?
A:Astatute,theprimaryandspecificpurposeof
whichistoauthorizereleaseofpublicfundsfrom
thetreasury.
Q:Whatisbudget?
A:
1. General appropriation law passed
annually, intended for the financial
operations of the entire government
duringonefiscalperiod;
2. Specialappropriationlawdesignedfor
aspecificpurpose
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
A:Theresolutionisunconstitutional.
1.)First,itviolatesArt.VI,Sec.29(2)of
the Constitution which prohibits the
appropriation of public money or
property, directly or indirectly, for the
use,benefitorsupportofanysystemof
religion;
2.) Second, it contravenes Art. VI, Sec,
25(6) which limits the appropriation of
discretionary funds only for public
purposes.
Theuseofdiscretionaryfundsforpurelyreligious
purposeisthusunconstitutional,andthefactthat
thedisbursementismadebyresolutionofalocal
legislative body and not by Congress does not
make it any less offensive to the Constitution.
Above all, the resolution constitutes a clear
violation of the Nonestablishment Clause of the
Constitution.
Q:Whoshallproposethebudget?
1. Infixingtheappropriations;
2. In determining the activities which
shouldbefunded.(Section22,Art.VII)
Note:Theproposesubjectisnotfinal.Itissubjectto
the approval of Congress but the President may
exercise his or her veto power. Accordingly, the
powerofthepursebelongstoCongress,subjectonly
to the veto power of the President. The President
mayproposethebudgetbutstillthefinalsayonthe
Q:MayCongressmodifythebudgetproposedby
thePresident?
Q:MayCongressincreaseitsoutlayforitself,the
JudiciaryandotherConstitutionalbodies?
Note:Congressmaynotdecreasetheappropriation
fortheJudiciarybelowtheamountappropriatedfor
thepreviousyear.
c.LEGISLATIVEINQUIRIES
A:TheSenateortheHouseofRepresentativesor
any of its respective committees may conduct
inquiries in aid of legislation in accordance with
its duly published rules of procedure. The rights
of persons appearing in, or affected by, such
inquiriesshallberespected.
A:Indefinite.Thefieldoflegislationisverywide
as compared to that of the American Congress.
And because of such, the field of inquiry is also
verybroad.Itmaycoveradministrativeinquiries,
social, economic, political problem (inquiries),
disciplineofmembers,etc.Sufficeittosaythatit
iscoextensivewithlegislative power.(Arnaultv.
Nazareno,G.R.No.L3820,July18,1950)
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
33
A:
1. Constitutional rights to counsel and
against self incrimination even if the
investigation is not a criminal
investigation, the information divulge
therein may be used in criminal
prosecution(UnderSec.21,Art.VI,itis
provided that the rights of 1987
Constitution, the persons appearing in
or affected by such inquiries shall be
respected)
2. TheRulesofprocedurestobefollowed
in such inquiries shall be published for
the guidance of those who will be
summoned. This must be strictly
followed so that the inquiries are
confinedonlytothelegislativepurpose.
Thisisalsotoavoidabuses.
Note:ItisthePresidentsprerogativeto
divulgeornottheinformationwhichhe
deems confidential or prudent in the
publicinterest.
34
6.
Congressmaynolongerinquireintothe
same justiciable controversy already
before the court (Bengzon v. Blue
Ribbon Committee, G.R. No. 89914,
Nov.20,1991)
Totheextentthat,inthecaseatbench,thereare
a number of cases already pending in various
courts and administrative bodies involving the
petitioners, relative to the alleged sale of
unregistered foreign securities, there is a
resemblance between this case and Bengzon.
However,thesimilarityendsthere.
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
CentraltotheCourtsrulinginBengzonthatthe
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee was without any
constitutional mooring to conduct the legislative
investigation was the Courts determination
that the intended inquiry was not in aid of
legislation. The Court found that the speech of
Senator Enrile, which sought such investigation
contained no suggestion of any contemplated
legislation; it merely called upon the Senate to
look into possible violations of Sec. 5, R.A. No.
3019. Thus, the Court held that the requested
probe failed to comply with a fundamental
requirement of Sec. 21, Article VI of the
Constitution.(StandardCharteredBankv.Senate,
G.R.No.167173,Dec.27,2007)
Q:DoesCongresshavethepowertocitepersons
incontempt?
A:Yes.EveniftheConstitutiononlyprovidesthat
Congress may punish its members for disorderly
behaviororexpelthesame,itisnotanexclusion
ofpowertoholdotherpersonsincontempt.
Q:Whatisthesocalledquestionhour?
A:Theheadsofdepartmentsmayupontheirown
initiative with the consent of the President, or
upontherequestofeitherHouse,astherulesof
each house shall provide, appear before and be
heardbysuchHouseonanymatterpertainingto
their departments. Written questions shall be
submitted to the President of the Senate or the
Speaker of the HoR at least 3 days before their
scheduled appearance. Interpellations shall not
belimitedtowrittenquestions,butitmaycover
mattersrelatedthereto.Whenthesecurityofthe
State or the public interest so requires, the
appearance shall be conducted in executive
session(Sec.22,Art.VI,1987Constitution)
A:
LEGISLATIVE
INVESTIGATION
(SEC.21,ART.VI,
1987CONSTITUTION)
Astopersonswhomayappear
Onlyadepartmenthead
Anyperson
Astowhoconductstheinvestigation
QUESTIONHOUR
(SEC.22,ART.VI,
1987CONSTITUTION)
Entirebody
Committees
Astosubjectmatter
Mattersrelatedtothe
Anymatterforthe
departmentonly
purposeoflegislation
d.POWEROFOVERSIGHT
Q:WhatisthepowerofoversightofCongress?
Q:Whatisthescopeofthepowerofoversight?
A:To:
1. Monitor bureaucratic compliance with
programobjectives
2. Determine whether agencies are
properlyadministered
3. Eliminate executive waste and
dishonesty
4. Prevent executive usurpation of
legislativeauthority
5. Assess executive conformity with the
congressional perception of public
interest. (Macalintal v. COMELEC, G.R.
No. 157013, Jul. 10, 2003, [Separate
opinionofJusticePuno])
A:Thepowerofoversighthasbeenheldtobe:
1. Intrinsicinthegrantoflegislativepower
itself
2. Integral to the system of checks and
balances
3. Inherent in a democratic system of
government
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
35
A:
1. Scrutinyimplies a lesser intensity and
continuity of attention to administrative
operations. Its primary purpose is to determine
economy and efficiency of the operation of
government activities. In the exercise of
legislative scrutiny, Congress may request
information and report from the other branches
of government. It can give recommendations or
pass resolutions for consideration of the agency
involved. It is based primarily on the power of
appropriationofCongress.Butlegislativescrutiny
does not end in budget hearings. Congress can
ask the heads of departments to appear before
andbeheardbyeithertheHouseofCongresson
any matter pertaining to their department.
Likewise, Congress exercises legislative scrutiny
thru its power of confirmation to find out
whether the nominee possesses the necessary
qualifications,integrityandprobityrequiredofall
publicservants.
36
enforcing,applyingorimplementingitsownlaws.
Thus, legislative veto is not allowed in the
Philippines.(ABAKADAGuroPartylistv.Purisima,
G.R.No.166715,Aug.14,2008)
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
thesamestatus,butasifpresentedforthefirsttime.
The logic and practicality of such a rule is readily
apparent considering that the Senate of the
succeeding Congress (which will typically have a
different composition as that of the previous
Congress) should not be bound by the acts and
deliberations of the Senate of which they had no
part.(Neriv.SenateCommitteeonAccountabilityof
Public Officers and Investigations, GR. No. 180643,
Sept.4,2008)
Q:Whatisitsconsequence?
A:TheconsequenceisthattheRulesofProcedure
must be republished by the Senate after every
expiryofthetermofthe12Senators(Garcillano
v. House of Representatives Committee on Public
Information,G.R.No.170338,Dec.23,2008)
Q:IsthepublicationoftherulesintheInterneta
validpublication?
LEGISLATIVEPROCESSANDTHEBICAMERAL
CONFERENCECOMMITTEE
Q:WhatistheDoctrineofShiftingMajority?
A:ForeachHouseofCongresstopassabill,only
thevotesofthemajorityofthosepresentinthe
session,therebeingaquorum,isrequired.
A:EverybillpassedbytheCongressshallembrace
only one subject. The subject shall be expressed
inthetitleofthebill.Thisruleismandatory.
Q:Whendoesabillbecomealaw?
A:
1. ApprovedandsignedbythePresident
2. Presidential veto overridden by 2/3
voteofallmembersofbothHouses
3. Failure of the President to veto the bill
and to return it with his objections to
the House where it originated, within
30daysafterthedateofreceipt
4. A bill calling a special election for
PresidentandVicePresidentunderSec.
10. Art. VII becomes a law upon third
readingandfinalreading
A:
1. NobillpassedbyeitherHouseshallbecome
alawunlessithaspassedthreereadingson
separatedays.
5. Theyeasandthenaysshallbeenteredinthe
Journal.
Note:Alldecreeswhicharenotinconsistentwith
the Constitution remain operative until they are
amendedorrepealed.(Guingonav.Carague,G.R.
No.94571,April22,1991)
A:Eachbillmustpass3readingsinbothHouses.
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
37
Q:Whatarethereasonsforthethreereadings?
A:
1. To address the tendency of legislators, (on
the last day of the legislative year when
legislatorswereeagertogohome)
2.Torushbillsthrough
3. To insert alters which would not otherwise
standscrutinyinleisurelydebate.
Q:Whatisthepurposeoftheconstitutionofthe
BicameralConferenceCommittee?
38
A:Alawmustbepublishedasaconditionforits
effectivityandinaccordancewithArticle2ofthe
Civil Code, it shall take effect fifteen days
followingthecompletionofitspublicationinthe
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulationunlessitisotherwiseprovided.(GRL
63915,December29,1986)
LIMITATIONSONLEGISLATIVEPOWER
a.LIMITATIONSONREVENUE,APPROPRIATION
ANDTARIFFMEASURES
Q:Whataretheconstitutionallimitationsonthe
legislatives power to enact laws on revenue,
appropriationandtariffmeasures?
A:
1. All appropriation, revenue or tariff bills, bills
authorizing increase of the public debt, bills of
local application, and private bills, shall originate
exclusively in the House of Representatives, but
the Senate may propose or concur with
amendments.(Sec.24,Art.VI)
Note:TheinitiativeforfilingofARTbillsmustcome
fromtheHouse,butitdoesnotprohibitthefilingin
the Senate of a substitute bill in anticipation of its
receipt of the bill from the House, so long as the
actionbytheSenateiswithheldpendingthereceipt
of the House bill (Tolentino v. Sec. of Finance, G.R.
No.115455,Aug.25,1994).
2.ThePresidentshallhavethepowertovetoany
particular item or items in an appropriation,
revenue,ortariffbill,butthevetoshallnotaffect
the item or items to which he does not object.
(Section27[2],Art.VI)
A:
1. Mustspecifypublicpurpose
2. Sum authorized for release must be
determinate, or at least determinable.
(Guingona v. Carague, G.R. No. 94571,
April22,1991)
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
A:
1.
2.
Q:WhataretheConstitutionalrulesonGeneral
AppropriationsLaws?
A:
1. Congress
may
not
increase
appropriations recommended by the
President for the operations of the
government;
4. Procedure
from
approving
appropriationsforCongressshallbethe
same as that of other departments in
order
to
prevent
subrosa
appropriationsbyCongress;
a. President
b. SenatePresident
c. SpeakeroftheHoR
d. ChiefJustice
e. Heads
of
Constitutional
Commissions.
year,thegeneralappropriationslawfor
the preceding fiscal year shall be
deemed reenacted and shall remain in
force and effect until the general
appropriations bill is passed by the
Congress (Sec. 25, [7], Art. VI, 1987
Constitution)
b.PresidentialVetoandCongressionalOverride
Q:Whatistheruleonpresidentialveto?
A:
GR: If the President disapproves a bill
enacted by Congress, he should veto the
entirebill.Heisnotallowedtovetoseparate
itemsofabill.
XPNstotheXPN:
1. Doctrineofinappropriateprovisionsa
provision that is constitutionally
inappropriate for an appropriation bill
maybesingledoutforvetoevenifitis
not an appropriation or revenue item.
(Gonzales v. Macaraig, Jr., G.R. No.
87636,Nov.19,1990)
2. Executiveimpoundmentrefusalofthe
President to spend funds already
allocated by Congress for specific
purpose. It is the failure to spend or
obligate budget authority of any type.
(Philconsav.Enriquez,G.R.No.113105,
Aug.19,1994)
Q:MaythePresidentvetoalaw?
A:No.Whatthepresidentmayvalidlyvetoisonly
a bill and neither the provisions of law 35 years
before his term nor a final and executory
judgment of the Supreme Court. (Bengzon v.
Drilon,G.R.No.103524,April15,1992)
Q:Whenisthereapocketveto?
A:Itoccurswhen:
1. thePresidentfailstoactonabill;and
2. thereasonhedoesnotreturnthebillto
the Congress is that Congress is not in
session.
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
39
Note:PocketvetoisnotapplicableinthePhilippines
becauseinactionbythePresidentfor30daysnever
produces a veto even if Congress is in recess. The
President must still act to veto the bill and
communicate his veto to Congress without need of
returningthevetoedbillwithhisvetomessage.
A:
1. Uponthelastandthirdreadingsofabill
(Section26(2),ArticleVI);
2. At the request of 1/5 of the members
present(Section16(4),ArticleVI);and
3. In repassing a bill over the veto of the
President(Section27(1),ArticleVI).
Q:Whatisarider?
NONLEGISLATIVEPOWERS
A:
1. Powertodeclaretheexistenceofstate
ofwar(Sec.23[1],Art.VI)
2. Power to act as Board of Canvassers in
electionofPresident(Sec.10,Art.VII)
3. Power to call a special election for
President and VicePresident (Sec. 10,
Art.VII)
4. Power to judge Presidents physical
fitnesstodischargethefunctionsofthe
Presidency(Sec.11,Art.VII)
5. Power to revoke or extend suspension
of the privilege of the writ of habeas
corpus or declaration of martial law
(Sec.18,Art.VII)
6. Power to concur in Presidential
amnesties Concurrence of majority of
all the members of Congress (Sec. 19,
Art.VII)
7. Power to concur in treaties or
international agreements; concurrence
ofatleast2/3ofallthemembersofthe
Senate(Sec.21,Art.VII)
40
8.
Power
to
confirm
certain
appointments/nominations made by
thePresident(Secs.9and16,Art.VII)
9. PowerofImpeachment(Sec.2,Art.XI)
10. Power relative to natural resources
(Sec.2,Art.XII)
11. Powerofinternalorganization(Sec.16,
Art.VI)
a)Electionofofficers
b)Promulgateinternalrules
c)Disciplinarypowers(Sec.16,Art.VI)
12.InformingFunction
A:UnderSec.23[2],ArticleVIoftheConstitution,
Congress may grant the President emergency
powerssubjecttothefollowingconditions:
1. There is a war or other national
emergency
2.Thegrantofemergencypowersmust
beforalimitedperiod
3. The grant of emergency powers is
subjecttosuchrestrictionsasCongress
mayprescribe
4. The emergency powers must be
exercised to carry out a declared
nationalpolicy
Q:WhatisthepolicyofthePhilippinesregarding
war?
Q:Whatisthevotingrequirementtodeclarethe
existenceofastateofwar?
A:
1. 2/3ofbothHouses
2. Injointsession
3. Votingseparately
Q:DiscusstheInformingfunctionofCongress.
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
41
D.EXECUTIVEDEPARTMENT
Q:WhoistheChiefExecutiveoftheState?
A:ThePresidentistheHeadofStateandthe
ChiefExecutive.
PRIVILEGES,INHIBITIONSAND
DISQUALIFICATIONS
a.IMMUNITYANDPRIVILEGES
A:
PRESIDENT
VICEPRESIDENT
PRIVILEGES
1. Salary shall not be
1. Officialresidence;
decreased during his
2. Salary is determined
tenure;
bylawandnottobe
2. If appointed to a
decreasedduringhis
Cabinet post, no
tenure (Sec. 6, Art.
need for Commission
VII);
on
Appointments
3. Immunity from suit
confirmation (Sec. 3,
forofficialacts.
Art.VII).
1.ExecutiveImmunity
Q:Whataretherulesonexecutiveimmunity?
A:A.(Rulesonimmunityduringtenure)
1. The President is immune from suit
duringhistenure.(Inre:Bermudez,G.R.
No.76180,Oct.24,1986)
2. An impeachment complaint may be
filedagainsthimduringhistenure.(Art.
XI)
3. The President may not be prevented
from instituting suit. (Soliven v.
Makasiar, G.R. No. 82585, Nov. 14,
1988)
4. Thereisnothinginourlawsthatwould
preventthePresidentfromwaivingthe
privilege. The President may shed the
protection afforded by the privilege.
(Soliven v. Makasiar, G.R. No. 82585,
Nov.14,1988)
5. Heads of departments cannot invoke
the Presidents immunity. (Gloria v.
CourtofAppeals,G.R.No.119903,Aug.
15,2000)
B.(Ruleonimmunityaftertenure)
42
2.
Separationofpowers.Theseparationof
powers principle is viewed as
demanding
the
executives
independence from the judiciary, so
thatthePresidentshouldnotbesubject
to the judiciarys whim. (Almonte v.
Vasquez,G.R.No.95367,May23,1995)
Note:President'simmunityfromsuitdoes
notextendtohisalteregos.However,the
said immunity extends beyond his term,
so long as the act, on which immunity is
invoked,wasdoneduringhisterm.
2.ExecutivePrivilege
Q:Whatisexecutiveprivilege?
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
Q:Whocaninvokeexecutiveprivilege?
A:
1.President
Note:Theprivilegebeinganextraordinarypower,
it must be wielded only by the highest official in
the executive department. Thus, the President
may not authorize her subordinates to exercise
suchpower.
WhenanofficialisbeingsummonedbyCongresson
a matter which, in his own judgment, might be
coveredbyexecutiveprivilege,hemustbeafforded
reasonable time to inform the President or the
ExecutiveSecretaryofthepossibleneedforinvoking
the privilege. This is necessary in order to provide
the President or the Executive Secretary with fair
opportunity to consider whether the matter indeed
calls for a claim of executive privilege. If, after the
lapseofthatreasonabletime,neitherthePresident
nor the Executive Secretary invokes the privilege,
Congressisnolongerboundtorespectthefailureof
theofficialtoappearbeforeCongressandmaythen
opttoavailofthenecessarylegalmeanstocompel
his appearance. (Senate v. Ermita, G.R.No. 169777,
April20,2006)
Q:Istheprivilegeabsolute?
A: No. Claim of executive privilege is subject to
balancing against other interest. Simply put,
confidentiality in executive privilege is not
absolutelyprotectedbytheConstitution.Neither
the doctrine of separation of powers, nor the
need for confidentiality of highlevel
communications can sustain an absolute,
unqualified Presidential privilege of immunity
from judicial process under all circumstances.
(Neriv.Senate,G.R.No.180643,Mar.25,2008).
2.ExecutiveSecretary,uponproperauthorization
fromthePresident
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
43
Q:Whatarethevarietiesofexecutiveprivilege?
1.
2.
3.
PRESIDENTIAL
COMMUNICATIONS
PRIVILEGE
Pertains
to
communications,
documents or other
materials that reflect
presidential
decision
makinganddeliberations
that the President
believes should remain
confidential
Applies to decision
makingofthePresident
Rooted
in
the
constitutional principle
of separation of powers
and the Presidents
unique
constitutional
role
DELIBERATIVEPROCESS
PRIVILEGE
Includes
advisory
opinions,
recommendations and
deliberations
comprising part of a
process
by
which
governmental decisions
and
policies
are
formulated
Applies to decision
making of executive
officials
A:
44
A:
Q:
Are
presidential
communications
presumptivelyprivileged?
A: Yes. The presumption is based on the
Presidentsgeneralizedinterestinconfidentiality.
The privilege is necessary to guarantee the
candorofpresidentialadvisorsandtoprovidethe
Presidentandthosewhoassisthimwithfreedom
to explore alternatives in the process of shaping
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
Q:Howisthepresumptionovercome?
A:Recognizingatypeofinformationasprivileged
does not mean that it will be considered
privileged in all instances. Only after a
considerationofthecontextinwhichtheclaimis
made may it be determined if there is a public
interestthatcallsforthedisclosureofthedesired
information, strong enough to overcome its
traditionallyprivilegedstatus.(AKBAYANCitizens
ActionPartyv.Aquino,etal.,G.RNo.170516,July
16,2008)
b.PROHIBITIONS,INHIBITIONSAND
DISQUALIFICATIONS
4. Shallnotparticipateinanybusiness
7. Shallavoidnepotism(Sec.13,Art.VII)
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
45
Q:Christian,theChiefPresidentialLegalCounsel
(CPLC), was also appointed as Chairman of the
PCGG.Maythetwoofficesbeheldbythesame
person?
A:No.Thetwoofficesareincompatible.Without
question, the PCGG is an agency under the
Executive Department. Thus, the actions of the
PCGG Chairman are subject to the review of the
CPLC. (Public Interest Group v. Elma, G.R. No.
138965,June30,2006)
POWERSOFTHEPRESIDENT
a.EXECUTIVEANDADMINISTRATIVEPOWERSIN
GENERAL
Q:Whatisexecutivepower?
A: It is the power of carrying out the laws into
practical operation and enforcing their due
observance.
(National
Electrification
Administration v. CA, G.R. No. 143481, Feb. 15,
2002).Itisthelegalandpoliticalfunctionsofthe
Presidentinvolvingtheexerciseofdiscretion.
It is vested in the President of the Philippines.
Thus, the President shall have control of all
executive departments, bureaus and offices. He
shall ensure that laws are faithfully executed.
(Sec.17,Art.VI,1987constitution)
Note: Until and unless a law is declared
unconstitutional,thePresidenthasadutytoexecute
it regardless of his doubts as to its validity. This is
known as the faithful execution clause. (Secs.1 and
17,Art.VII,1987Constitution).
Q:Whatisthefaithfulexecutionclause?
A: Since executive power is vested in the
PresidentofthePhilippines,heshallhavecontrol
ofallexecutivedepartments,bureausandoffices.
Consequently, he shall ensure that the laws be
faithfully executed (Sec. 17, Art. VII). The power
to take care that the laws be faithfully executed
makes the President a dominant figure in the
administration of the government. The law he is
supposed to enforce includes the Constitution,
statutes, judicial decisions, administrative rules
46
andregulationsandmunicipalordinances,aswell
astreatiesenteredintobythegovernment.
Q:Whatisthescopeofexecutivepower?
A:
1.
Q:IsthepowerofthePresidentlimitedonlyto
such specific powers enumerated in the
Constitution?
A:No.ThepowersofthePresidentcannotbesaid
to be limited only to the specific power
enumeratedintheConstitution.Executivepower
is more than the sum of specific powers so
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
enumerated.Theframersdidnotintendthatby
enumeratingthepowersofthePresidentheshall
exercise those powers and no other. Whatever
powerinherentinthegovernmentthatisneither
legislativenorjudicialhastobeexecutive.These
unstated residual powers are implied from the
grantofexecutivepowerandwhicharenecessary
forthePresidenttocomplywithhisdutiesunder
he Constitution. (Marcos v. Manglapus, G.R. No.
88211,Oct.27,1989).
Q:Whatisadministrativepower?
dutiesonapersonalreadyinthepublicservice.It
is considered only as an acting or temporary
appointment, which does not confer security of
tenure on the person named. (Binamira v.
Garrucho,G.R.No.92008,July30,1990)
b.APPOINTINGPOWER
2.CommissiononAppointmentsConfirmation
A:
1. Headsofexecutivedepartments
GR:Appointmentofcabinetsecretaries
requiresconfirmation.
1.InGeneral
Q:Whatisappointment?
A:Itistheselection,bytheauthorityvestedwith
thepower,ofanindividualwhoistoexercisethe
functionsofagivenoffice.
Q:Whatisthenatureoftheappointingpowerof
thePresident?
Q:Whatisdesignation?
2.
3.
OfficersofAFPfromtherankofcolonel
ornavalcaptain
4.
Otherofficersofthegovernmentwhose
appointments are vested in the
President in the Constitution (Sec. 16,
Art.VII),suchas:
a. Chairmen and members of the
CSC,COMELECandCOA(Sec.1[2],
Art.IXB,C,D)
b. Regular members of the JBC (Sec.
8[2],Art.VIII)
A:
1. NominationbythePresident
2. ConfirmationbytheCA
3. Issuanceofcommission
4. Acceptance by the appointee (Cruz,
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
47
position, theappointmentmaynotbesubjectto
judicialreview.
Appointment
Acceptance
A:
ADINTERIM
APPOINTMENT
MadeifCongressisnot
insession
Requiresconfirmationof
CA
Permanentinnature
Appointeeenjoys
securityoftenure
APPOINTMENTINAN
ACTINGCAPACITY
Madeatanytimethere
isvacancy,i.e.,whether
Congressisinsessionor
not
Doesnotrequire
confirmationofCA
Temporaryinnature
Appointeedoesnot
enjoysecurityoftenure
Q:IstheactofthePresidentinappointingacting
secretaries constitutional, even without the
consent of the Commission on Appointments
whileCongressisinsession?
A:
1. Thespouseandrelativesbyconsanguinityor
affinity within the 4th civil degree of the
President shall not, during his "tenure" be
appointed:
a. As members of the Constitutional
Commissions
b. Member of the Office of
Ombudsman
c. Secretaries
d. Undersecretaries
e. Chairmen or heads of bureaus or
offices, including government
owned or controlled corporations
and their subsidiaries. (Sec. 13[2],
Art.VII)
3.MidnightAppointments
Thosemadeforbuyingvotesrefersto
those appointments made within two
months preceding the Presidential
election and are similar to those which
are declared election offenses in the
OmnibusElectionCode;and
2.
Thosemadeforpartisanconsiderations
consists of the socalled midnight
appointments. (In Re: Hon. Mateo A.
Note:Actingappointmentscannotexceedoneyear.
(Section17[3],Chapter5,TitleI,BookIIIofEO292).
48
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
ValenzuelaandHon.PlacidoB.Vallarta,
A.M.No.98501SCNov.9,1998)
ArticleVIIIisdedicatedtotheJudicialDepartment
and defines the duties and qualifications of
Members of the Supreme Court, among others.
Section 4(1) and Section 9 of this Article are the
provisions specifically providing for the
appointment of Supreme Court Justices. In
particular, Section 9 states that the appointment
of Supreme Court Justices can only be made by
the President upon the submission of a list of at
least three nominees by the JBC; Section 4(1) of
the Article mandates the President to fill the
vacancy within 90 days from the occurrence of
thevacancy.
c.POWEROFREMOVAL
Q:WheredoesthePresidentderivehispowerof
removal?
A: The President derives his implied power of
removal from other powers expressly vested in
him.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Itmaybeimpliedfromhisfunctionto
take care that laws be properly
executed; for without it, his orders
for law enforcement might not be
effectivelycarriedout.
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VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
49
d.POWEROFCONTROLANDSUPERVISION
Q:Whatisthepowerofcontrol?
A: Control is the power of an officer to alter or
modify or nullify or to set aside what a
subordinate has done in the performance of his
duties and to substitute ones own judgment for
thatofasubordinate.
Note:ThePresidentspoweroverGOCCscomesnot
from the Constitution, but from statute. Hence, it
maybetakenawaybystatute.
ThePresidenthasfullcontrolofallthemembersof
his Cabinet. He may appoint them as he sees fit,
shuffle them at pleasure, and replace them in his
discretion without any legal inhibition whatever.
However, such control is exercisable by the
Presidentonlyovertheactsofhissubordinatesand
not necessarily over the subordinate himself. (Ang
Angcov.Castillo,G.R.No.L17169,Nov.30,1963)
1.DoctrineofQualifiedPoliticalAgency
Q:Whatisthereasonforthealteregodoctrine?
A: Since the President is a busy man, he is not
expected to exercise the totality of his power of
control all the time. He is not expected to
exercise all his powers in person. He is expected
to delegate some of them to men of his
confidence, particularly to members of his
Cabinet.
2.ExecutiveDepartmentsandOffices
A:
1.
2.
50
3.LocalGovernmentUnits
Q:Whatisthepowerofgeneralsupervision?
A:Thisisthepowerofasuperiorofficertoensure
that the laws are faithfully executed by
subordinates. The power of the President over
LGUsisonlyofgeneralsupervision.Thus,hecan
onlyinterfereintheaffairsandactivitiesofaLGU
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
2.
Q:Distinguishcontrolfromsupervision.
A:
CONTROL
Anofficerincontrollays
down the rules in the
doingofanact.
SUPERVISION
The
supervisor
or
superintendent merely
sees to it that the rules
are followed, but he
himself does not lay
downsuchrules.
The supervisor does not
have the discretion to
modify or replace them.
If the rules are not
observed, he may order
the work done or re
done but only to
conform
to
the
prescribed rules. (Drilon
v. Lim, G.R. No. 112497,
Aug.4,1994)
Note:Thepowerofsupervisiondoesnotincludethe
power of control; but the power of control
necessarilyincludesthepowerofsupervision.
3.
e.COMMANDERINCHIEFPOWERS
A:
1. Command of the Armed Forces The
CommanderinChief clause vests on
the President, as CommanderinChief,
absoluteauthorityoverthepersonsand
actions of the members of the armed
forces. (Gudani v. Senga, G.R. No.
170165,Aug.15,2006)
Suspensionoftheprivilegeofthewritof
habeascorpus
4.
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51
Q:Whataretherequisitesforthesuspensionof
theprivilegeofthewritofhabeascorpus?
3.
A:
4.
1.
2.
Theremustbeaninvasionorrebellion
Publicsafetyrequiresthesuspension
5.
Note:Theinvasionandrebellionmustbeactualand
notmerelyimminent.
Q:Whatarethelimitationsonthedeclarationof
martiallaw?
A:Martiallawdoesnot:
1. Suspend the operation of the
Constitution;
2. Supplant the functioning of the civil
courtsorlegislativeassemblies;
3. Authorize conferment of jurisdiction
overcivilianswherecivilcourtsareable
tofunction;
Note:Civilianscannotbetriedbymilitary
courts if the civil courts are open and
functioning. (Olaguer v. Military
CommissionNo.34,G.R.No.L54558,May
22,1987).
Q:Istherighttobailimpairediftheprivilegeof
thewritofhabeascorpusissuspended?
A: The right to bail shall not be impaired even
whentheprivilegeofthewritofhabeascorpusis
suspended.(Sec.13,Art.III,1987Constitution).
Q:Whatarethelimitationsonthesuspensionof
theprivilegeofwritofhabeascorpus?
A:
Applies only to persons judicially
charged for rebellion or offenses
inherent in or directly connected with
invasion;and
2. Anyone arrested or detained during
suspension must be charged within 3
days.Otherwise,heshouldbereleased.
4.
Note:Whenmartiallawisdeclared,nonewpowers
aregiventothePresident;noextensionofarbitrary
authority is recognized; no civil rights of individuals
are suspended. The relation of the citizens to their
Stateisunchanged.
1.
A:
1.
2.
52
Theremustbeaninvasionorrebellion,
and
SupremeCourtcannotruleuponthecorrectnessof
the Presidents actions but only upon its
arbitrariness.
Q:Whatarethewaystolifttheproclamationof
martiallaw?
A:
1.
2.
3.
4.
LiftingbythePresidenthimself
RevocationbyCongress
NullificationbytheSC
By operation of law after 60 days (Sec.
18,Art.VII)
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
f.PARDONINGPOWER
A:Executiveclemencyisgrantedforthepurpose
ofrelievingtheharshnessofthelaworcorrecting
mistakes in the administration of justice. The
power of executive clemency is a nondelegable
power and must be exercised by the President
personally.
Note:Clemencyisnotafunctionofthejudiciary;itis
anexecutivefunction.Thegrantisdiscretionary,and
maynotbecontrolledbythelegislatureorreversed
by the court, save only when it contravenes its
limitations.
The power to grant clemency includes cases
involvingadministrativepenalties.
In granting the power of executive clemency upon
the President, Sec. 19, Art. VII of the Constitution
does not distinguish between criminal and
administrativecases.
IfthePresidentcangrantpardonsincriminalcases,
with more reason he can grant executive clemency
in administrative cases, which are less serious.
(Llamasv.Orbos,G.R.No.99031,Oct.15,1991)
Note:Thefirst4requireconvictionbyfinaljudgment
whileamnestydoesnot.
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53
1.
Q:Whatispardon?Whatareitslegaleffects?
A: Pardon is an act of grace which exempts
individual on whom it is bestowed from
punishment which the law inflicts for a crime he
has committed. As a consequence, pardon
grantedafterconvictionfreestheindividualfrom
allthepenaltiesandlegaldisabilitiesandrestores
him to all his civil rights. But unless expressly
grounded on the persons innocence (which is
rare), it cannot bring back lost reputation for
honesty, integrity and fair dealing. (Monsanto v.
Factoran,G.R.No.78239,Feb.9,1989)
Note: Because pardon is an act of grace, no legal
powercancompelthePresidenttogiveit.Congress
has no authority to limit the effects of the
Presidentspardon,ortoexcludefromitsscopeany
class of offenders. Courts may not inquire into the
wisdomorreasonablenessofanypardongrantedby
thePresident.
2.
3.
4.
54
Q:Cananoffenderrejectpardon?
A:Itdepends.
1.ConditionalPardontheoffenderhastheright
to reject it since he may feel that the condition
imposedismoreonerousthanthepenaltysought
toberemitted.
2.AbsolutePardonthepardoneehasnooption
at all and must accept it whether he likes it or
not.
Note: In this sense, an absolute pardon is
similar to commutation, which is also not
subject to acceptance by the offender. (Cruz,
PhilippinePoliticalLaw,2002ed.,p.232)
Q:Whatiscommutation?
A:Itisthereductionormitigationofthepenalty,
from death penalty to life imprisonment,
remittances and fines. Commutation is a pardon
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
informbutnotinsubstance,becauseitdoesnot
affect his guilt; it merely reduces the penalty for
reasonsofpublicinterestratherthanforthesole
benefitoftheoffender.
Note:Commutationdoesnothavetobeinanyform.
Thus, the fact that a convict was released after 6
yearsandplacedunderhousearrest,whichisnota
penalty, already leads to the conclusion that the
penaltyhasbeenshortened.
Q:Whatisamnesty?
Q:Whatisremission?
Q:Differentiateamnestyfrompardon.
A:
Note:ThepowerofthePresidenttoremitfinesand
forfeitures may not be limited by any act of
Congress. But a statue may validly authorize other
officers,suchasdepartmentheadsorbureauchiefs,
toremitadministrativefinesandforfeitures.
Q:Whataretheeffectsofthegrantofamnesty?
AMNESTY
AddressedtoPolitical
offenses
GrantedtoaClassof
Persons
GrantedtoIndividuals
Requiresconcurrenceof
majorityofallmembers
ofCongress
Doesnotrequire
concurrenceofCongress
Publicacttowhichthe
courtmaytakejudicial
noticeof
Privateactwhichmust
bepleadedandproved
Looksbackwardand
putstooblivionthe
offenseitself
Looksforwardand
relievesthepardoneeof
theconsequenceofthe
offense
Maybegrantedbefore
orafterconviction
Onlygrantedafter
convictionbyfinal
judgment
Neednotbeaccepted
Mustbeaccepted
Q:Whatisprobation?
A: It is a disposition under which a defendant
after conviction and sentence is released subject
to conditions imposed by the court and to the
supervisionofaprobationofficer.
Q:Whatisaparole?
A: The suspension of the sentence of a convict
granted by a Parole Board after serving the
minimum term of the indeterminate sentence
penalty, without granting a pardon, prescribing
PARDON
AddressedtoOrdinary
offenses
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UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
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55
g.DIPLOMATICPOWERS
Q:WhatarethePresidentspowersoverforeign
affairs?
5. Deportaliens:
a. This power is vested in the
President by virtue of his office,
subject only to restrictions as may
be provided by legislation as
regards to the grounds for
deportation. (Sec. 69, Revised
AdministrativeCode).
b. In the absence of any legislative
restriction to authority, the
56
c.
d.
6.
Decidethatadiplomaticofficerwhohas
becomepersonanongrataberecalled.
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
h.BUDGETARYPOWER
Q:Whatisbudgetarypower?
A:
1.
2.
3.
FaithfulExecutionclause
i.RESIDUALPOWER
Q:Whatareresidualpowers?
Note:Residualpowersarethosenotstatedorfound
in the Constitution but which the President may
validlyexercise.
j.ImpoundmentPower
Q:Whatisimpoundmentpower?
A: Impoundment refers to the refusal of the
President, for whatever reason, to spend funds
made available by Congress. It is the failure to
spendorobligatebudgetauthorityofanytype.
Q:Whataretheprincipalsourcesofthispower?
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VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
57
E.JUDICIALDEPARTMENT
a.JUDICIALPOWER
Q:Whatisjudicialpower?
A: Includes the duty of the courts of justice to
settle actual controversies involving rights which
are legally demandable and enforceable, and to
determinewhetherornottherehasbeenagrave
abuseofdiscretionamountingtolackorexcessof
jurisdiction on the part of any branch or
instrumentality of the Government. (Sec. 1[2],
Art.VIII)
Q:Inwhatbodyisitvested?
A:ItisvestedinoneSupremeCourt(SC)andsuch
lower courts as may be established by law. (Sec.
1,Art.VIII)
Q:Canjudicialpowerbeshared?
Q:Distinguishjusticiablequestionsfrompolitical
questions.
A:
Q:Whatisthepowerofjudicialinquiry?
JUSTICIABLE
QUESTIONS
Imply a given right
legally demandable and
enforceable, an act or
omission violative of
suchright,andaremedy
granted and sanctioned
bylawforsaidbreachof
right
POLITICALQUESTIONS
Questions which involve
thepolicyorthewisdom
ofthelaworact,orthe
morality or efficacy of
the same. Generally it
cannot be inquired by
the courts. Further,
these are questions
which
under
the
Constitution:
a.Aredecidedbythe
people in their
sovereign capacity;
and
b.
Where
full
discretionary
authority has been
delegated either to
the executive or
legislative
department.
A:The1987Constitutionexpandstheconceptof
judicial review. Under the expanded definition,
theCourtcannotagreethattheissueinvolvedisa
political question beyond the jurisdiction of the
court to review. When the grant of power is
58
qualified,conditionalorsubjecttolimitations,the
issue of whether the prescribed qualifications or
conditions have been met or the limitations
respected is justiciablethe problem being one
of legality or validity, not its wisdom. Moreover,
the jurisdiction to delimit constitutional
boundaries has been given to the SC. When
political questions are involved, the Constitution
limitsthedelimitationastowhetherornotthere
has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting
tolackorexcessofjurisdictiononthepartofthe
officialwhoseactionisbeingquestioned.
A:Itisthepowerofthecourttoinquireintothe
exercise of discretionary powers to determine
whether there is grave abuse of discretion
amountingtolackorexcessofjurisdiction.
It is the power of the court to determine the
validityofgovernmentactsinconformitywiththe
Constitution.
b.JUDICIALREVIEW
Q:Whatisthepowerofjudicialreview?
A: The power of the SC to declare a law, treaty,
ordinance and other governmental act
unconstitutional.
Q:Whataretherequisitesofjudicialreview?
A:
1. Actual case an existing case or controversy
which is both ripe for resolution and
susceptibleofjudicialdetermination,andthat
which is not conjectural or anticipatory, or
that which seeks to resolve hypothetical or
feignedconstitutionalproblems.
Note: A petition raising a constitutional question
does not present an actual controversy unless it
alleges a legal right or power. Moreover, it must
show that a conflict of rights exists, for inherent in
the term controversy is the presence of opposing
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
c.Whenthejurisdictionofthelowercourtis
inquestionexceptwhenthereisestoppel
TheNLRCsforemostfunctionistoadministerandenforce
R.A. No. 8042, and not to inquire into the validity of its
provisions. Therefore, even if the issue on the
constitutionality of the subject clause was first
raised,notinpetitioner'sappealwiththeNLRC,but
in his Motion for Partial Reconsideration with said
labor tribunal,and reiterated in his Petition
forCertioraribefore the CA, the issue is deemed
seasonablyraisedbecauseitisnottheNLRCbutthe
CA which has the competence to resolve the
constitutionalissue.(Serranov.NLRC,G.R.No.167614,
Mar.29,2009)
4.Necessityofdecidingconstitutionalquestions
as a joint act of the legislative and executive
authorities, a law is supposed to have been
carefully studied and determined to be
constitutionalbeforeitwasfinallyenacted.As
longasthereareotherbaseswhichcourtscan
use for decision, constitutionality of the law
willnotbetouched.
Q: What are the requisites before a law can be
declaredpartiallyunconstitutional?
A:
1.Thelegislaturemustbewillingtoretainvalid
portion(separabilityclause)
2.Thevalidportioncanstandindependentlyas
law
Q:WhatisthePrincipleofStareDecisis?
A:Aprincipleunderlyingthedecisioninonecase
isdeemedofimperativeauthority,controllingthe
decisions of like cases in the same court and in
lower courts within the same jurisdiction, unless
and until the decision in question is reversed or
overruledbyacourtofcompetentauthority.(De
Castrov.JBC,G.R.No.191002,Apr.20,2010)
Q:IstheSCobligedtofollowprecedents?
A:No.TheCourt,asthehighestcourtoftheland,
maybeguidedbutisnotcontrolledbyprecedent.
Thus, the Court, especially with a new
membership, is not obliged to follow blindly a
particular decision that it determines, after re
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
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59
examination,tocallforarectification.(DeCastro
v.JBC,G.R.No.191002,April20,2010)
Q:Xfiledapetitiontosetasidetheawardofthe
ZTEDOTC Broadband Deal. The OSG opposed
thepetitiononthegroundthattheLegalService
of the DOTC has informed it of the Philippine
Governmentsdecisionnottocontinuewiththe
ZTENBN Project.That said there is no more
justiciable controversy for the court to resolve.
Hence,theOSGclaimedthatthepetitionshould
bedismissed.Xcounteredbysayingthatdespite
themootness,theCourtmustneverthelesstake
cognizance of the case and rule on the merits
due to the Courts symbolic function of
educatingthebenchandthebarbyformulating
guiding and controlling principles, precepts,
doctrines,andrules.Decide.
1.OperativeFactDoctrine
Q:Whatismeantbytheoperativefactdoctrine?
A: It is a rule of equity. Under this doctrine, the
law is recognized as unconstitutional but the
effects of the unconstitutional law, prior to its
declarationofnullity,maybeleftundisturbedas
amatterofequityandfairplay.(LeagueofCities
of the Philippines v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 176951,
Nov.18,2008)
Q: Will the invocation of this doctrine an
admissionthatthelawisunconstitutional?
A: Yes. (League of Cities of the Philippines v.
COMELEC,G.R.No.176951,Nov.18,2008)
Q:Whatarethefunctionsofjudicialreview?
A:
1. Checking invalidating a law or executive act
thatisfoundtobecontrarytotheConstitution
2.MootQuestions
Q:Whataremootquestions?
2.Legitimizingupholdingthevalidityofthelaw
that results from a mere dismissal of a case
challengingthevalidityofthelaw
3.Symbolictoeducatethebenchandbarasto
the controlling principles and concepts on
matters of grave public importance for the
guidanceofandrestraintuponthefuture(Igotv.
COMELEC,G.R.No.L352245,Jan.22,1980)
60
Q:Whenisacasemootandacademic?
A: It is moot and academic when it ceases to
present a justiciable controversy by virtue of
superveningeventssothatadeclarationthereon
wouldbeofnopracticaluseorvalue.
Q: Should courts decline jurisdiction over moot
andacademiccases?
Q:Whatistheextentofpowerofjudicialreview
inimpeachmentproceedings?
A:GR:Thecourtsshoulddeclinejurisdictionover
suchcasesordismissitongroundofmootness.
XPNs:
1. There is a grave violation of the
Constitution
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
7.
Themembersofthejudiciary maynotbe
designated to any agency performing
quasijudicialoradministrativefunctions
8.
Thesalariesofjudgesmaynotbereduced;
the judiciary enjoys fiscal autonomy (Sec.
3,Art.VIII,1987Constitution)
9.
the
3.PoliticalQuestion
A:Thedoctrinemeansthatthepowerofjudicial
review cannot be exercised when the issue is a
political question. It constitutes another
limitationonsuchpowerofthejudiciary.
Q:Whatarepoliticalquestions?
A:Thosequestionswhich,undertheConstitution,
aretobedecidedbythepeopleintheirsovereign
capacity, or in regard to which full discretionary
authorityhasbeendelegatedtothelegislativeor
executive branch of the government. (Taada v.
Cuenco,G.R.No.L10520,February28,1957)
c.JUDICIALINDEPENDENCESAFEGUARDS
d.JUDICIALRESTRAINT
2.
Members are
impeachment
by
3.
4.
TheSChasadministrativesupervisionover
allinferiorcourtsandpersonnel
5.
6.
Intermsoflegislativeacts,theprincipleofjudicial
restraintmeansthateveryintendmentofthelaw
must be adjudged by the courts in favor of its
constitutionality, invalidity being a measure of
lastresort.Inconstruingthereforetheprovisions
of a statute, courts must first ascertain whether
aninterpretationisfairlypossibletosidestepthe
question of constitutionality. (Estrada v.
only
removable
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
61
Q:HowlongcanmembersoftheSCandjudges
holdoffice?
A:MembersoftheSCandjudgesoflowercourts
canholdofficeduringgoodbehavioruntil:
1.
Theageof70yearsold;or
2.
e.APPOINTMENTSTOTHEJUDICIARY
Q:Howaremembersofthejudiciaryappointed?
A:Themembersofthejudiciaryareappointedby
thePresidentofthePhilippinesfromamongalist
of at least three nominees prepared by the
JudicialandBarCouncil(JBC)foreveryvacancy.
Note: The appointment shall need no confirmation
by the Commission on Appointments. (Sec. 9, Art.
VIII)
Vacancies in the SC should be filled within 90 days
fromtheoccurrenceofthevacancy.
Vacanciesinlowercourtsshouldbefilledwithin90
daysfromsubmissiontothePresidentoftheJBClist.
The filling of the vacancy in the Supreme Court
within the 90 day period is an exception to the
prohibition on midnight appointments of the
president.Thismeansthateveniftheperiodfallson
the period where the president is prohibited from
making appointments (midnight appointments), the
president is allowed to make appointments to fill
vacancies in the Supreme Court. (De Castro v. JBC,
G.R.No.191002,Apr.20,2010)
Q:WhatisthecompositionoftheJBC?
A:TheJBCiscomposedof:
1.
2.
3.
ChiefJustice,asexofficiochairman
Secretary of Justice, as an exofficio
member
Representative of Congress, as an ex
officiomember
RepresentativeoftheIntegratedBar
Aprofessoroflaw
AretiredmemberoftheSC
Privatesectorrepresentative
4.
5.
6.
7.
Q:WhatarethefunctionsoftheJBC?
62
NaturalborncitizenofthePhilippines;
Atleast40yearsofage;
A judge of a lower court or engaged in
thepracticeoflawinthePhilippinesfor
15yearsormore(Sec.7[1],Art.VIII)
Q:Whatarethequalificationsforappointments
tolowercollegiatecourts?
A:
1.
2.
NaturalborncitizenofthePhilippines
MemberofthePhilippineBar
Q:Whatarethequalificationsforappointments
tolowercourts?
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
A:
1.
2.
CitizenofthePhilippines
MemberofthePhilippineBar
A:Promulgaterulesconcerning:
f.SUPREMECOURT
1.EnBancandDivisionCases
2.ProceduralRuleMakingPower
Q:Whatisthescopeoftherulemakingpowerof
theSC?
g.ADMINISTRATIVESUPERVISIONOVERLOWER
COURTS
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
63
F.CONSTITUTIONALCOMMISSIONS
Q:WhataretheConstitutionalCommissions?
A:
1.
2.
3.
CivilServiceCommission(CSC)
CommissiononElections(COMELEC)
CommissiononAudit(CoA)
1.INSTITUTIONALINDEPENDENCESAFEGUARDS
A:
1. They are constitutionallycreated; may
notbeabolishedbystatute
2. Each is conferred certain powers and
functions which cannot be reduced by
statute
3. Each is expressly described as
independent
4. Chairmenandmembersaregivenfairly
longtermofofficefor7years
5. Chairmen and members cannot be
removedexceptbyimpeachment
6. Chairmen and members may not be
reappointed or appointed in an acting
capacity
7. Salaries of chairmen and members are
relatively high and may not be
decreasedduringcontinuanceinoffice
8. Commissionsenjoyfiscalautonomy
64
9.
4.
Holdanyotherofficeoremployment
Engageinthepracticeofanyprofession
Engage in the active management and
control of any business which in any
waymaybeaffectedbythefunctionof
hisoffice
Be financially interested, directly or
indirectly,inanycontractwith,orinany
franchise or privilege granted by the
Government, any of its subdivisions,
agencies or instrumentalities, including
GOCCsortheirsubsidiaries
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS
A:
1.
Q:Discusstheruleonappeals.
A:
1. Decisions, orders or rulings of the
COMELEC/CoAmaybebroughtoncertiorari
totheSCunderRule65.
2.Decisions,ordersorrulingsoftheCSCshould
beappealedtotheCAunderRule43.
2.CONCEPTSCOMPOSITIONSANDFUNCTIONS
a.CIVILSERVICECOMMISSION
Q:WhatarethefunctionsoftheCSC?
3.
4.
5.
Q:WhatisthecompositionoftheCSC?
A:
1. 1Chairman
2. 2Commissioners
5.
NaturalborncitizensofthePhilippines
Atleast35yearsoldatthetimeoftheir
appointments
With proven capacity for public
administration
Notcandidatesforanyelectiveposition
in the elections immediately preceding
theirappointment
AppointeesbythePresidenttotheCSC
need Commission on Appointments
confirmation
b.COMMISSIONONELECTIONS
Q:WhatisthecompositionoftheCOMELEC?
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
65
A:
1Chairman
6Commissioners
A:
1. NaturalborncitizensofthePhilippines
2. Atleast35yearsoldatthetimeoftheir
appointments
3. Collegedegreeholder
4. Not a candidate for any elective
position in the elections immediately
precedingtheirappointment
5. Majority, including the chairman, must
be members of the Philippine Bar who
have been engaged in the practice of
lawatleast10years.(Sec.1,Art.IXC)
Q:MaythePresidentdesignateamemberofthe
COMELECasactingChairman?Explain.
i.
ii.
iii.
Regional
Provincial
Cityofficials
c. Contemptpowers
i. COMELEC can exercise this
power only in relation to its
adjudicatory or quasijudicial
functions. It cannot exercise
this in connection with its
purelyexecutiveorministerial
functions
ii. If it is preproclamation
controversy, the COMELEC
exercises
quasijudicial/
administrativepowers.
iii. Its jurisdiction over contests
(after proclamation), is in
exercise of its judicial
functions.
1.
2.
3.
2. Exercise:
a. Exclusive original jurisdiction over all
contestsrelatingtotheelection,returns
andqualificationsofallelective:
66
Decide,exceptthoseinvolvingtheright
to vote, all questions affecting
elections, including determination of
the number and location of polling
places,appointmentofelectionofficials
and inspectors, and registration of
voters.
Note:Questionsinvolvingtherighttovote
fall within the jurisdiction of ordinary
courts.
4.
5.
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS
6.
File,uponaverifiedcomplaint,oronits
own initiative, petitions in court for
inclusion or exclusion of voters;
investigate and, where appropriate,
prosecutecasesofviolationsofelection
laws, including acts or omissions
constituting election frauds, offenses
andmalpractices.
a.
b.
COMELEChasexclusivejurisdiction
to investigate and prosecute cases
forviolationsofelectionlaws.
COMELEC
can
deputize
prosecutors for this purpose. The
actions of the prosecutors are the
actionsoftheCOMELEC.
Note:Preliminaryinvestigationconducted
byCOMELECisvalid.
7.
Q:Allelectioncases,includingpreproclamation
controversies,mustbedecidedbytheCOMELEC
in division. Should a party be dissatisfied with
thedecision,whatremedyisavailable?
A: The dissatisfied party may file a motion for
reconsideration before the COMELEC en banc. If
the en bancs decision is still not favorable, the
same, in accordance with Art. IXA, Sec. 7, may
be brought to the Supreme Court on certiorari.
(Reyes v. RTC of Oriental Mindoro, G.R. No.
108886,May5,1995)
Note:Thefactthatdecisions,finalordersorrulings
of the COMELEC in contests involving elective
A:Electioncasesshouldbeheardanddecidedby
adivision.Ifadivisiondismissesacaseforfailure
of counsel to appear, the MR may be heard by
thedivision.
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
67
A:
1. Duringelectionperiod90daysbefore
the day of the election and ends 30
days thereafter. In special cases,
COMELECcanfixaperiod.
2. Appliesnotonlytoelectionsbutalsoto
plebiscitesandreferenda.
c.COMMISSIONONAUDIT
Q:Whatisitscomposition?
A:
1. 1Chairman
2. 2Commissioners
A:
1. NaturalborncitizensofthePhilippines
2. Atleast35yearsoldatthetimeoftheir
appointments
3. Either:
a. CPAs with at least 10 years of
auditingexperience;or
b. MembersofPhilippineBarwith10
yearsofpracticeoflaw.
4. Memberscannotallbelongtothesame
profession
5. SubjecttoconfirmationoftheCA
6. Not a candidate for any elective
position in the elections immediately
68
A:7yearswithoutreappointment.
Q:WhatarethepowersanddutiesofCOA?
A:
1. Examine, audit and settle all accounts
pertaining to revenue and receipts of, and
expenditures or uses of funds and property
owned or held in trust or pertaining to
government
3. Authoritytodefinethescopeofitsauditand
examination, establish techniques and
methodsrequiredtherefore
A:Nolawshallbepassedexemptinganyentityof
the Government or its subsidiary in any guise
whatsoever, or any investment of public funds,
fromthejurisdictionoftheCommissiononAudit.
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS
equityinit.(PALvs.COA,G.R.No.91890,June9,
1995)
3.JUDICIALREVIEW
A:
1. COA: Judgments or final orders of the
Commission on Audit may be brought by an
aggrieved party to the Supreme Court on
certiorari under Rule 65. Only when COA acts
without or excess in jurisdiction, or with grave
abuseofdiscretionamountingtolackorexcessof
jurisdiction, may the SC entertain a petition for
certiorariunderRule65.
4.QUASIJUDICIALFUNCTION
Q:Whichbodyhasthejurisdictiononpersonnel
actions,coveredbythecivilservice?
A:ItistheCOMELEC.
Note:TheCOMELECalsohavetheexclusiveoriginal
jurisdictionoverallcontestsrelatingtoreturns,and
qualificationsofallelectiveregional,provincial,and
cityofficials.
OVERPRE
OVERCONTESTS(AFTER
PROCLAMATION
PROCLAMATION)
CONTROVERSY
COMELECs jurisdiction COMELECs jurisdiction
is administrative or is judicial and is
by
the
quasijudicial and is governed
governed by the less requirements of judicial
stringent requirements process.
of administrative due
process(althoughtheSC
has
insisted
that
question
on
qualifications should
be decided only after a
fulldresshearing).
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
69
G.BILLOFRIGHTS
a.FUNDAMENTALPOWERSOFTHESTATE
A:
1. PolicePower
2. PowerofEminentDomain
3. PowerofTaxation
A:
1. TheyareinherentintheStateandmay
be exercised by it without need of
expressconstitutionalgrant.
2. They are not only necessary but
indispensable. The State cannot
continueorbeeffectiveunlessitisable
toexercisethem.
3. They are methods by which the State
interfereswithprivaterights.
4. They all presuppose an equivalent
compensation for the private rights
interferedwith.
5. They are exercised primarily by the
legislature.
A:
1. May not be exercised arbitrarily to the
prejudiceoftheBillofRights
2. Subject at all times to the limitations
and requirements of the Constitution
andmayinpropercasesbeannulledby
the courts, i.e. when there is grave
abuseofdiscretion.
A:
PolicePower
Eminent
Domain
Taxation
Extentofpower
Regulates
libertyand
property
Affectsonly
propertyrights
Affectsonly
propertyrights
Powerexercisedbywhom
Exercisedonly
bythe
government
70
Exercisedonly
bythe
government
Maybe
exercisedby
privateentities
Property
takenis
destroyed
Purpose
Propertyis
takenfor
publicuse
Compensation
Propertyis
takenfor
publicuse
Intangible;
general
welfare
Protectionand
public
improvements
Valueofthe
property
expropriated
1.POLICEPOWER
Q:Whataretheaspectsofpolicepower?
A:Generally,policepowerextendstoallthegreat
public needs. However, its particular aspects are
thefollowing:
1. Publichealth
2. Publicmorals
3. Publicsafety
4. Publicwelfare
Q:Whoexercisespolicepower?
A:
GR: Police power is lodged primarily in the
nationallegislature.
1. President
2. Administrativebodies
3. Lawmaking bodies on all municipal
levels, including the barangay.
Municipal governments exercise this
power under the general welfare
clause. (Gorospe, Constitutional Law:
NotesandReadingsontheBillofRights,
CitizenshipandSuffrage,Vol.2.)
Q:Whataretherequisitesforthevalidexercise
ofpolicepowerbythedelegate?
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
A:
1.
2.
3.
Expressgrantbylaw
Mustnotbecontrarytolaw
GR:WithinterritoriallimitsofLGUs
XPN: When exercised to protect water
supply(Wilsonv.CityofMountainLake
Terraces,417P.2d632,1966)
A:No.Ifthelegislaturedecidestoact,thechoice
of measures or remedies lies within its exclusive
discretion, as long as the requisites for a valid
exercise of police power have been complied
with.
A:
1. Lawful subject The interests of the
public generally, as distinguished from
those of a particular class, require the
exerciseofthepolicepower
2.EMINENTDOMAIN
A:
1. Takingofprivateproperty
2. Forpublicuse
3. Justcompensation
4. Observanceofdueprocess
Q:Whoexercisesthepowerofeminentdomain?
A:Congress.However,thefollowingmayexercise
thispowerbyvirtueofavaliddelegation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
ThePresidentofthePhilippines
Variouslocallegislativebodies
Certain public corporations like the
Land Authority and National Housing
Authority
Quasipublic corporations like the
PhilippineNationalRailways
Q:Whataretherequisitesforavalidtaking?
A:PMAPO
1. The expropriator must enter a Private
property
2. Entry must be for more than a
Momentaryperiod
3. Entrymustbeunderwarrantorcolorof
legalAuthority
4. PropertymustbedevotedtoPublicuse
orotherwiseinformallyappropriatedor
injuriouslyaffected
5. Utilizationofpropertymustbeinsucha
way as to Oust the owner and deprive
him of beneficial enjoyment of the
property (Republic v. vda. De Castellvi,
G.R.No.L20620,Aug.15,1974)
Q:Whatpropertiescanbetaken?
Q:Whatpropertiescannotbetaken?
A:Moneyandchosesinaction,personalrightnot
reducedinpossessionbutrecoverablebyasuitat
law, right to receive, demand or recover debt,
demand or damages on a cause of action ex
contractuorforatortoromissionofduty.
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
71
Q:Distinguisheminentdomainfromdestruction
fromnecessity.
A:
Destructionfrom
necessity
Whocanexercise
Maybevalidly
Onlyauthorized
undertakenbyprivate
publicentitiesor
individuals
publicofficials
Kindofright
Rightofselfdefense,
selfpreservation,
Publicright
whetherappliedto
personsortoproperty
Requirement
Noneedforconversion;
Conversionof
nojustcompensation
propertytakenfor
butpaymentintheform
publicuse;payment
ofdamageswhen
ofjustcompensation
applicable
Beneficiary
State/public
Private
Eminentdomain
(Gorospe,ConstitutionalLaw:NotesandReadings
ontheBillofRights,CitizenshipandSuffrage,Vol.
2)
Q:Doestherequisiteofpublicusemeanuseby
thepublicatlarge?
Q:Whatisjustcompensation?
A:Itisthefullandfairequivalentoftheproperty
taken from the private owner (owners loss) by
the expropriator. It is usually the fair market
value (FMV) of the property and must include
consequential damages (damages to the other
interest of the owner attributed to the
expropriation) minus consequential benefits
(increaseinthevalueofotherinterestsattributed
tonewuseoftheformerproperty).
A:
GR:Yes.
72
A:Thevalueofthepropertymustbedetermined
either at the time of taking or filing of the
complaint,whichevercomesfirst.(EPZAv.Dulay,
G.R.No.59603,April29,1987).
A:
GR: Nonpayment by the government does
not entitle private owners to recover
possession of the property because
expropriationisaninremproceeding,notan
ordinary sale, but only entitle them to
demand payment of the fair market value of
theproperty.
XPNS:
1. Whenthereisdeliberaterefusaltopay
justcompensation
2. Governments
failure
to
pay
compensation within 5 years from the
finality of the judgment in the
expropriation proceedings. This is in
connection with the principle that the
government cannot keep the property
anddishonorthejudgment.(Republicv.
Lim,G.R.No.161656,June29,2005)
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
3.TAXATION
Q:Whataretaxesandwhatistaxation?
A:Taxesare:
1. Enforced proportional contributions
frompersonsandproperty
2. Levied by the State by virtue of its
sovereignty
3. Forthesupportofthegovernment
4. Forpublicneeds
A:Paymentoftaxesisanobligationbasedonlaw,
andnotoncontract.Itisadutyimposeduponthe
individualbythemerefactofhismembershipin
thebodypoliticandhisenjoymentofthebenefits
availablefromsuchmembership.
Q:Whatarethematterslefttothediscretionof
thelegislature?
A:
1. Whethertotaxinthefirstplace
2. Whomorwhattotax
3. Forwhatpublicpurpose
4. Amountorrateofthetax
A:InherentandConstitutionallimitations.
Q:Whatareinherentlimitations?
A:
1. Publicpurpose
2. Nondelegabilityofpower
3.
4.
5.
Territorialityorsitusoftaxation
Exemptionofgovernmentfromtaxation
Internationalcomity
Q:WhatareConstitutionallimitations?
A:
1. Dueprocessoflaw(Art.III,Sec.1)
2. Equalprotectionclause(Art.III,Sec.1)
3. Uniformity,equitabilityandprogressive
systemoftaxation(Art.VI,Sec28)
4. Nonimpairment of contracts (Art. III,
Sec.10)
5. Nonimprisonment for nonpayment of
polltax(Art.III,Sec.20)
6. Revenue and tariff bills must originate
in the House of Representatives (Art I,
Sec.7)
7. Noninfringement of religious freedom
(Art.III,Sec.4)
8. Delegationoflegislativeauthoritytothe
President to fix tariff rates, import and
export quotas, tonnage and wharfage
dues
9. Tax exemption of properties actually,
directly and exclusively used for
religious, charitable and educational
purposes(NIRC,Sec30)
10. Majority vote of all the members of
Congress required in case of legislative
grantoftaxexemptions
11. Nonimpairment of SCs jurisdiction in
taxcases
12. Tax exemption of revenues and assets
of, including grants, endowments,
donations or contributions to
educationalinstitutions
Q:Dolocalgovernmentunitshavethepowerof
taxation?
Q:Shouldtherebenoticeandhearingforthe
enactmentoftaxlaws?
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
73
A:Itreferstogeographicaluniformity,meaningit
operateswiththesameforceandeffectinevery
placewherethesubjectofitisfound.
Q:Whatisaprogressivesystemoftaxation?
Q:Whatisdoubletaxation?
A:Itoccurswhen:
1. Taxesarelaidonthesamesubject
2. Bythesameauthority
3. Duringthesametaxingperiod
4. Forthesamepurpose
(Gorospe,ConstitutionalLaw:NotesandReadings
ontheBillofRights,CitizenshipandSuffrage,Vol.
2)
Q:Whatarethekindsoftaxexemptions?
A:Taxexemptionsmayeitherbe:
1. Constitutional
2. Statutory
A:
1. If exemption is granted gratuitously
revocable
2. If exemption is granted for valuable
consideration (nonimpairment of
contracts)irrevocable
Q:Whatisthenatureofalicensefee?
A:Ordinarily,licensefeesareinthenatureofthe
exercise of police power because they are in the
formofregulationbytheStateandconsideredas
a manner of paying off administration costs.
However,ifthelicensefeeishigherthanthecost
ofregulating,thenitbecomesaformoftaxation
(ErmitaMalateHotelandMotelOperatorsAssoc.,
74
b.PRIVATEACTSANDTHEBILLOFRIGHTS
Q:WhatistheBillofRights?
Q:WhencantheBillofRightsbeinvoked?
Note:However,theSupremeCourtinZuluetav.CA,
G.R. No. 107383, Feb. 20 1996, where the husband
invoked his right to privacy of communication and
correspondenceagainstaprivateindividual,hiswife,
who had forcibly taken from his cabinet and
presented as evidence against him documents and
private correspondence, held these papers
inadmissible in evidence, upholding the husbands
righttoprivacy.
c.DUEPROCESS
Q:Whatisdueprocess?
A:Dueprocessmeans:
1. That there shall be a law prescribed in
harmony with the general powers of
thelegislature
2. That it shall be reasonable in its
operation
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
3.
4.
A:
Q:Whataretherequirementsofdueprocessin
judicialproceedings?
ADMINISTRATIVE
JUDICIAL
Essence
Opportunitytoexplain
Adayincourt
onesside
Means
Usuallythroughseeking Submissionofpleadings
andoralarguments
areconsiderationofthe
rulingortheaction
taken,orappealtoa
superiorauthority
NoticeandHearing
2.
3.
4.
Note:Anextraditeedoesnothavetherighttonotice
and hearing during the evaluation stage of an
extraditionproceeding.Thenatureoftherightbeing
claimed is nebulous andthe degree of prejudice an
extraditeeallegedlysuffersisweak.(USv.Purganan,
G.R.No.148571,Sept.24,2002)
Q:Istherighttoappealpartofdueprocess?
A:
GR: The right to appeal is not a natural right
orapartofdueprocess.
Bothareessential:
1. Notice
2. Hearing
Q:Whatisthenatureofproceduraldueprocess
instudentdisciplineproceedings?
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
75
5.
6.
Q:Whataretheinstanceswhenhearingsarenot
necessary?
A:
1. When administrative agencies are
exercising
their
quasilegislative
functions.
2. Abatementofnuisanceperse.
3. Granting by courts of provisional
remedies.
4. Casesofpreventivesuspension.
5. Removaloftemporaryemployeesinthe
governmentservice.
6. Issuanceofwarrantsofdistraintand/or
levybytheBIRCommissioner.
7. Cancellationofthepassportofaperson
chargedwithacrime.
8. Suspension of a banks operations by
theMonetaryBoarduponaprimafacie
finding of liquidity problems in such
bank.
1.ProceduralandSubstantiveDueProcess
Q:Whatarethetwoaspectsofdueprocess?
A:
SUBSTANTIVEDUE
PROCEDURALDUE
PROCESS
PROCESS
Servesasarestrictionon
Thisservesasa
actionsofjudicialand
restrictiononthe
quasijudicialagenciesof
governmentslawand
thegovernment
rulemakingpowers
Requisites
1. The interests of the 1. Impartial court or
tribunal clothed with
public in general, as
judicial power to hear
distinguished from
and determine the
those of a particular
mattersbeforeit.
class, require the
intervention of the 2. Jurisdiction properly
acquired over the
state
person
of
the
2. Themeansemployed
defendant and over
are
reasonably
property which is the
necessary for the
subject matter of the
accomplishment of
proceeding
the purpose and not
unduly oppressive 3. Opportunity to be
heard
uponindividuals.
4. Judgment rendered
upon lawful hearing
and
based
on
evidenceadduced.
76
2.ProceduralDueProcess
A:
1. Notice(tobemeaningfulmustbeasto
timeandplace)
2. Opportunitytobeheard
3. Court/tribunalmusthavejurisdiction
A:No.Theessenceofdueprocessistobefound
inthereasonableopportunitytobeheardandto
submitanyevidenceonemayhaveinsupportof
ones defense. To be heard does not always
mean verbal arguments in court. One may be
heardalsothroughpleadings.Whereopportunity
to be heard, either through oral arguments or
pleadings, is accorded, there is no denial of due
process (Zaldivar v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. L
32215,Oct.17,1988).
3.ConstitutionalandStatutoryDueProcess
Q:Differentiateconstitutionaldueprocessfrom
statutorydueprocess.
A:
Constitutionaldue
process
Protects the individual
from the government
and assures him of his
rightsincriminal,civilor
administrative
proceedings
Statutorydueprocess
While found in the
Labor
Code
and
Implementing
Rules
protects
employees
from being unjustly
terminated without just
cause after notice and
hearing (Agabon v.
NLRC, G.R. No. 158693,
November17,2004)
4.HierarchyofRights
Q:Isthereahierarchyofconstitutionalrights?
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
1.
2.
Q:WhatistheOverbreadthDoctrine?
5.JudicialStandardsofReview
Q:Giventhefactthatnotallrightsandfreedoms
or liberties under the Bill of Rights and other
values of society are of similar weight and
importance, governmental regulations that
affect them would have to be evaluated based
on different yardsticks, or standards of review.
Whatarethesestandardsofreview?
A:
1. Deferential review laws are upheld if
they rationally further a legitimate
governmental interest, without courts
seriously
inquiring
into
the
substantiality of such interest and
examining the alternative means by
whichtheobjectivescouldbeachieved
2. Intermediatereviewthesubstantiality
ofthegovernmentalinterestisseriously
looked into and the availability of less
restrictivealternativesareconsidered.
6.VoidforVaguenessDoctrine
Q:Explainthevoidforvaguenessdoctrine?
Note:Itisananalyticaltooldevelopedfortestingon
their face statutes in free speech cases. Claims of
facialoverbreadthareentertainedincasesinvolving
statuteswhich,bytheirterms,seektoregulateonly
spokenwordsandagain,thatoverbreadthclaims,if
entertainedatall,havebeencurtailedwheninvoked
againstordinarycriminallawsthataresoughttobe
appliedtoprotectedconduct.
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
77
d.EQUALPROTECTIONOFTHELAWS
1.CONCEPT
Q:Whatistheconceptofequalprotectionofthe
laws?
2.REQUISITESFORVALIDCLASSIFICATION
A:Theclassificationmust:
1. Restonsubstantialdistinctions
2. Begermanetothepurposeofthelaw
3. Not be limited to existing conditions
only;
4. Apply equally to all members of the
same class. (Gorospe, Constitutional
Law: Notes and Readings on the Bill of
Rights,CitizenshipandSuffrage,Vol.2.,
p.334)
A:
GR:Itappliestoallpersons,bothcitizensand
aliens. The Constitution places the civil rights
of aliens on equal footing with those of the
citizens.
78
TruthCommissionof2010,G.R.No.192935,Dec.7,
2010)
A:
GR:Thelegislaturemaynotvalidlyclassifythe
citizens of the State on the basis of their
origin,race,orparentage.
XPN:Thedifferenceinstatusbetweencitizens
and aliens constitutes a basis for reasonable
classification in the exercise of police power.
(Demorev.Kim,538U.S.510,2003)
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
A:Itisthetestwhichdoesnotlooksolelyintothe
governments purpose in classifying persons or
things(asdoneinRationalBasisTest)norintothe
existence of an overriding or compelling
governmentinterestsogreattojustifylimitations
of fundamental rights (Strict Scrutiny Test) but
closely scrutinizes the relationship between the
classificationandthepurpose,basedonspectrum
of standards, by gauging the extent to which
constitutionally guaranteed rights depend upon
theaffectedindividualsinterest.
e.SEARCHESANDSEIZURES
Q:Whatistheessenceofprivacy?
1.WarrantRequirement
A:
1.
There should be a search warrant or
warrantofarrest
2.
Probablecausesupportedtheissuance
ofsuchwarrant
3.
Such probable cause had been
determinedpersonallybyajudge
4.
Judge personally examined the
complainantandhiswitnesses
5.
Thewarrantmustparticularlydescribe
the place to be searched and the
persons or things to be seized.
(Gorospe, Constitutional Law: Notes
and Readings on the Bill of Rights,
CitizenshipandSuffrage,Vol.2.,p.334)
Q:Whataregeneralwarrants?
1.
Readilyidentifythepropertiestobeseized
and thus prevent them from seizing the
wrongitems
2. Leavesaidpeaceofficerswithnodiscretion
regardingthearticlestobeseizedandthus
prevent unreasonable searches and
seizures. (Bache and Co. v. Ruiz, 37 SCRA
823)
Q:Whenisparticularityofdescriptioncomplied
with?
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
79
3.
1.
2.
Q:Whatarethepropertiessubjecttoseizure?
A:
1.
Propertysubjectoftheoffense
2.
Stolenorembezzledpropertyandother
proceedsorfruitsoftheoffense
3.
Propertyusedorintendedtobeusedas
meansforthecommissionofanoffense
Q:Whatisprobablecause?
A:Probablecauseissuchfactsandcircumstances
antecedent to the issuance of a warrant that in
themselves are sufficient to induce a cautious
man to rely on them and act in pursuance
thereof.
Q:Whatconstitutessearchingquestions?
2.WarrantlessArrests
Q:Whataretheinstancesofavalidwarrantless
arrest?
A:
1. In flagrante delicto The person to be
arrested has either committed, is
actually committing, or is about to
commit an offense in the presence of
thearrestingofficer
Q:Howisprobablecausedeterminedpersonally
bythejudge?
A:
SEARCHWARRANT
WARRANTOFARREST
Thejudgemust
personallyexaminein
theformofsearching
questionsandanswers,
inwritingandunder
oath,thecomplainant
andthewitnesseshe
mayproduceonfacts
personallyknownto
them.
Itisnotnecessarythat
thejudgeshould
personallyexaminethe
complainantandhis
witnesses;thejudge
wouldsimplypersonally
reviewtheinitial
determinationofthe
prosecutortoseeifitis
supportedbysubstantial
evidence.
Thedeterminationof
probablecause
dependstoalarge
extentuponthefinding
oropinionofthejudge
whoconductedthe
requiredexamination
oftheapplicantandthe
witnesses.
Hemerelydetermines
theprobability,notthe
certaintyofguiltofthe
accusedand,insodoing,
heneednotconducta
newhearing.
Q:Whatconstitutespersonalknowledge?
A:
80
Thepersontobearrestedmustexecute
an overt act indicating that he had just
committed,isactuallycommitting,oris
attemptingtocommitacrime;and
Such overt act is done in the presence
or within the view of the arresting
officer.
2.
3.
Q:Cantherebeawaiveroftherighttoquestion
aninvalidarrest?
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
Note:Thewaiverislimitedtoinvalidarrestanddoes
notextendtoillegalsearch
Q:Arethereanyotherinstanceswhereapeace
officercanvalidlyconductawarrantlessarrest?
A:Yes,incasesofcontinuingoffenses.Thecrimes
ofrebellion,subversion,conspiracyorproposalto
commit such crimes, and crimes or offenses
committed in furtherance thereof, or in
connection therewith constitute direct assaults
againsttheState,areinthenatureofcontinuing
crimes.
Q:Cantheplacetobesearched,assetoutinthe
warrantbeamplifiedormodifiedbytheofficers
personalknowledgeofthepremisesorevidence
they adduce in support of their application for
thewarrant?
A:TheRTCwherethecriminalcaseispendingor
ifnoinformationhasyetbeenfiled,inRTCinthe
area/scontemplated.HoweveranRTCnothaving
territorial jurisdiction over the place to be
searched may issue a search warrant where the
filing of such is necessitated and justified by
compelling considerations of urgency, subject,
time,andplace.
A:No,thelegislativedelegationofsuchpowerto
the Commissioner of Immigration is not violative
oftheBillofRights.
3.WarrantlessSearches
Q:Whataretheinstancesofavalidwarrantless
search?
A:
1. Visual search is made of moving
vehiclesatcheckpoints
2. Searchisanincidenttoavalidarrest
3.
4.
5.
6.
Searchofpassengersmadeinairports
7.
8.
Customssearch
Exigent and emergency circumstances.
(Peoplev.DeGracia,233SCRA716))
Q:WhatisthePlainViewDoctrine?
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
81
a.
b.
Q:Whatisastopandfrisksearch?
A:Yes,providedthecheckpointcomplieswiththe
followingrequisites:
SCRA211)
82
Q:Valerosowasarrestedbyvirtueofawarrant
ofarrest.Atthattime,Valerosowassleeping.He
was pulled out of the room. The other police
officersremainedinsidetheroomandransacked
the locked cabinet where they found a firearm
and ammunition. Is the warrantless search and
seizure of the firearm and ammunition justified
asanincidenttoalawfularrest?
A:No.Thescopeofthewarrantlesssearchisnot
without limitations. A valid arrest allows the
seizureofevidenceordangerousweaponseither
on the person of the one arrested or within the
areaofhisimmediatecontrol.Thepurposeofthe
exception is to protect the arresting officer from
beingharmedbythepersonarrested,whomight
be armed with a concealed weapon, and to
prevent the latter from destroying evidence
withinreach.Inthiscase,searchwasmadeinthe
lockedcabinetwhichcannotbesaidtohavebeen
within Valeroso's immediate control. Thus, the
search exceeded the bounds of what may be
considered as an incident to a lawful arrest.
(Valeroso v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 164815,
Sept.3,2009)
5.AdministrativeArrest
Q:Whenisthereanadministrativearrest?
A:Thereisanadministrativearrestasanincident
todeportationproceedings.
A:Thefollowingaliensshallbearresteduponthe
warrantoftheCommissionerofImmigrationorof
any other officer designated by him for the
purpose and deported upon the warrant of the
Commissioner of Immigration after a
determinationbytheBoardofCommissionersof
the existence of the ground for deportation as
chargesagainstthealien.
1.
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
6.Drug,Alcohol,andBloodTests
Q:Isalawrequiringmandatorydrugtestingfor
students of secondary and tertiary schools
unconstitutional?
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
83
righttoenrollisnotabsolute;itissubjecttofair,
reasonable,andequitablerequirements.Insum:
Q:Isalawrequiringmandatorydrugtestingfor
officers and employees of public and private
officesunconstitutional?
A:No.AsthewarrantlessclauseofSec.2,Art.III
of the Constitution is couched and as has been
held, reasonableness is the touchstone of the
validityofagovernmentsearchorintrusion.And
whether a search at issue hews to the
reasonableness standard is judged by the
balancingofthegovernmentmandatedintrusion
on the individuals privacy interest against the
promotion of some compelling state interest. In
the criminal context, reasonableness requires
showing probable cause to be personally
determined by a judge. Given that the drug
testing policy for employeesand students for
that matterunder R.A. 9165 is in the nature of
administrativesearchneedingwhatwasreferred
to in Veronia case as swift and informal
procedures,theprobablecausestandardisnot
required or even practicable. (SJS v. DDB and
PDEA,G.R.No.157870,Nov.3,2008)
f.RIGHTTOPRIVACYINCOMMUNICATIONAND
CORRESPONDENCE
Q:Thegeneralruleisthattherighttoprivacyof
communication and correspondence is
inviolable.Whataretheexceptions?
A:
1. Bylawfulorderofthecourt;
2. Public safety or public order as
prescribedbylaw
84
Thelawdoesnotdistinguishbetweenapartytothe
private communication or a third person. Hence,
bothapartyandathirdpersoncouldbeheldliable
underR.A.4200iftheycommitanyoftheprohibited
actsunderR.A.4200.(Ramirezv.CA,G.R.No.93833
Sept.28,1995)
Q:Whatdoestheexclusionaryrulestate?
Q:Whatisthewritofhabeasdata?
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
Q:Whatarethereliefsthatmaybeobtainedin
thepetitionforissuanceofwritofhabeasdata?
g.FREEDOMOFEXPRESSION
A:
1. Freedomofspeech
2. Freedomofthepress
3. Right of assembly and to petition the
governmentforredressofgrievances
4. Right to form associations or societies
notcontrarytolaw
5. Freedomofreligion
6. Right to access to information on
mattersofpublicconcern.
Q:Whatareconsideredprotectedspeech?
freedomofspeechandofthepress.Theneedto
preventtheviolationofalawcannotpersetrump
the exercise of free speech and free press, a
preferredrightwhosebreachcanleadtogreater
evils.(FranciscoChavezv.RaulM.Gonzales,G.R.
No.168338,Feb.15,2008)
Q.Whatistheconceptbehindtheprovision?
A:
1. Freedom from censorship or prior
restraint
2. Freedomfromsubsequentpunishment
3. Freedomofaccesstoinformation
4. Freedomofcirculation
1.PriorRestraint
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
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3.
Q:Istheprohibitionofpriorrestraintabsolute?
2.SubsequentPunishment
A:Thefreespeechandpressclausealsoprohibits
systems of subsequent punishment which have
the effect of unduly curtailing expression.
(Bernas, The 1987 Philippine Constitution A
ComprehensiveReviewer2006,p.64)
A:No,itmaybeproperlyregulatedintheinterest
ofthepublic.TheStatemayvalidlyimposepenal
and/or administrative sanctions such as in the
following:
1. Libel a public and malicious
imputation of a crime, vice or defect,
real or imaginary or any act omission,
status tending to cause dishonor,
discredit or contempt of a natural or
judicial person, or blacken the memory
of one who is dead (Art 353, Revised
PenalCode)
2. Obscenity in Pita v Court of Appeals,
the Supreme Court declared that the
86
4.
Q:DiscusstheDoctrineofFairComment.
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
3.ContentBased&ContentNeutralRegulation
A:
CONTENTNEUTRAL
REGULATION
Substantialgovernmental
interestisrequiredfortheir
validity,andtheyarenot
subjecttothestrictestformof
judicialscrutinyratheronlyan
intermediateapproach
somewherebetweenthe
rationalitythatisrequiredofa
lawandthecompelling
intereststandardappliedto
contentbasedrestrictions.
CONTENTBASED
RESTRAINT
Theyaregiventhe
strictestscrutiny
inlightoftheir
inherentand
invasiveimpact.
A:Yes,saidrightswereviolatedapplyingtheclear
and present danger test. The challenged acts
need to be subjected to the clear and present
danger rule, as they are contentbased
restrictions. The acts of NTC and the DOJ Sec.
focused solely on but one objecta specific
content fixedas these were on the alleged
tapedconversationsbetweenthePresidentanda
COMELEC official. Undoubtedly these did not
merely provide regulations as to the time, place
or manner of the dissemination of speech or
expression.
Agovernmentalactionthatrestrictsfreedomof
speech or of the press based on content is
giventhestrictestscrutiny,withthegovernment
havingtheburdenofovercomingthepresumed
unconstitutionality by the clear and present
danger rule. It appears that the great evil which
government wants to prevent is the airing of a
tape recording in alleged violation of the anti
wiretappinglaw.
Theevidencefallsshortofsatisfyingtheclearand
present danger test. Firstly, the various
statements of the Press Secretary obfuscate the
identity of the voices in the tape recording.
Secondly,theintegrityofthetapedconversation
isalsosuspect.ThePressSecretaryshowedtothe
public two versions, one supposed to be a
complete version and the other, an altered
version. Thirdly, the evidence on the whos and
the hows of the wiretapping act is ambivalent,
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4.FacialChallengesandOverbreadth
Doctrine
Q:WhatdoyoumeanbyFacialChallenges?
Note:Facialchallengetoastatuteisallowedonlywhen
it operates in the area of freedom of expression.
Invalidation of the statute on its face, rather than as
applied, is permitted in the interest of preventing a
chilling effect on freedom of expression. ( Separate
opinion of Justice Mendoza in Cruz v. Secretary of
Environment and Natural Resources, 347 SCRA 128,
2000)
A:Distinguishedfromanasappliedchallengewhich
considers onlyextantfacts affectingreallitigants,
afacial invalidation is an examination of theentire
law, pinpointing its flaws and defects, not only on
the basis of its actual operation to the parties, but
also on the assumption or prediction that its very
existencemaycauseothersnotbeforethecourtto
refrain from constitutionally protected speech or
activities. (KMU v. Ermita, G.R. No. 17855, October
5,2010)
Q:Arefacialchallengesallowedinpenalstatutes?
Q:WhatistheOverbreadthDoctrine?
88
5.Tests
A:
1.ClearandPresentDangertest
Question:Whetherthewordsareusedinsuch
circumstances and are of such a nature as to
createaclearandpresentdangerthattheywill
bringaboutthesubstantiveevilsthatCongress
has a right to prevent. It is a question of
proximity and degree (Schenck v. US, 249 US
47,1919)
Emphasis:Thedangercreatedmustnotonlybe
clear and present but also traceable to the
ideas expressed. (Gonzales v. COMELEC, G.R.
No.L27833,April18,1969)
Note:ThistesthasbeenadoptedbyourSC,andis
most applied to cases involving freedom of
expression.
2.DangerousTendencytest
Question:Whetherthespeechrestrainedhasa
rational tendency to create the danger
apprehended, be it far or remote, thus
governmentrestrictionwouldthenbeallowed.
It is not necessary though that evil is actually
created for mere tendency towards the evil is
enough.
3.GravebutImprobableDangertest
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
4.Balancingofinteresttest
a. Whenparticularconductisregulatedin
theinterestofpublicorder
b. Andtheregulationresultsinanindirect,
conditional and partial abridgement of
speech (Gonzales v. COMELEC, G.R. No. L
27833,Apr.18,1969).
5.OBrientest
Note:Agovernmentregulationisvalidif:
a. It is within the constitutional power of
thegovernment;
b. In furtherance of an important or
substantialgovernmentalinterest;
c. Governmental interest is unrelated to
the suppression of free expression;
and
d. The incidental restriction on the
freedom
is
essential
to
the
furtherance of that interest. (US v.
OBrien, 391 US 367, 1968; SWS v.
COMELEC,G.R.147571,May5,2001)
6.DirectIncitementtest
6.StateRegulationofDifferentTypesofMass
Media
A:Yes.InSorianov.MTRCB,G.R.No.165636,Apr.
29, 2009, the Court, applying the balancing of
interest doctrine, ruled that the governments
interesttoprotectandpromotetheinterestsand
welfareofthechildrenadequatelybuttressesthe
reasonable curtailment and valid restraint on
petitioners prayer to continue as program host
ofAngDatingDaanduringthesuspensionperiod.
Sorianosoffensiveandobscenelanguageuttered
on primetime television broadcast, without
doubt, was easily accessible to the children.His
statements could have exposed children to a
languagethatisunacceptableineverydayuse.As
such, the welfare of children and the States
mandatetoprotectandcareforthem,asparens
Q:CanthetrialofEstradaintheSandiganbayan
or any other court be broadcasted in TV or
radio?
A:No.Anaccusedhasarighttoapublictrial,but
it is not synonymous with a publicized trial.
Freedom of the press and the accuseds
protection from a possible prejudicial publicized
trialmustbetakenintoconsideration.Andunless
there are safety nets to prevent this event,
broadcast media cannot be allowed to publicize
the trial. (Re: Request for RadioTV Coverage of
the Estrada Trial, A.M. No 01403SC, June 29,
2001)
7.CommercialSpeech
Q:Whatisthemeaningofcommercialspeech?
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Q:Inorderforgovernmenttocurtailcommercial
speechwhatmustbeshown?
A:Toenjoyprotection,commercialspeech:
1. Must not be false or misleading
(Friedman v. Rogers, 440 US 1 (1979)
and
2. Should not propose an illegal
transaction, Pittsburgh Press Co. v
Human Relations Commissions, 413 US
376(1973).
Note:However,eventruthfulandlawfulcommercial
speech maybe regulated if (1) government has a
substantial interest to protect; (2) the regulation
directlyadvancesthatinterest;and(3)itisnotmore
than extensive than is necessary to protect that
interest. (Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp v.
PublicServiceCommissionofNY,447US557(1980)
8.Pivatev.GovernmentSearch
A:
GovernmentSpeech
A speech where the
government
may
advance or restrict its
own speech in a manner
that would clearly be
forbidden
were
it
regulating the speech of
a
private
citizen.
(doctrine was implied
inWooley v. Maynardin
1971)
PrivateSpeech
Therightofapersonto
freelyspeak ones mind
is a highly valued
freedominarepublican
and democratic society.
(Ashcroftv.FreeSpeech
Coalition, 535 U.S. 234
(2002))
9.HecklersVeto
Q:WhatisaHecklersVeto?
A:Aheckler'svetooccurswhenanactingparty's
right to freedom of speech is curtailed or
restrictedbythegovernmentinordertoprevent
a reacting party's behavior. The term Hecklers
90
h.FREEDOMOFASSEMBLYANDPETITION
Q:Whatisthesocalledpermitsystem?
A:Underthepermitsystem,beforeonecanusea
public place, one must first obtain prior permit
fromtheproperauthorities.Suchisvalidif:
A:Onlytheconsentoftheowneroftheproperty
or person entitled to possession thereof is
required.
A:
1. PurposeTestlooksintothepurposeof
the assembly regardless of its backers.
(De Jonge v. Oregon, 299 US 353, 365,
1937)
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
2.
Note:TherulinginEvangelistav.Earnshaw(G.R.No.
36453, Sept. 28, 1932) is not yet abrogatedMayor
revoked permits he already granted because the
group, the Communist Party of the Philippines, was
foundbythefiscaltobeanillegalassociation.When
the intention and effect of the act is seditious, the
constitutional guaranties of freedom of speech and
press and of assembly and petition must yield to
punitivemeasuresdesignedtomaintaintheprestige
of constituted authority, the supremacy of the
Constitution and the laws, and the existence of the
State.
Q:Istheconceptofpeoplepowerrecognizedin
theConstitution?Discussbriefly.
A:Yes.TheConstitution:
i.FREEDOMOFRELIGION
A:
1. Nonestablishmentclause;
2. Freeexerciseclause,orthefreedomof
religiousprofessionandworship
1.NonestablishmentClause
Q:Whatisthenonestablishmentclause?
2.FreeExerciseClause
Q:Whataretheaspectsoffreedomofreligious
professionandworship?
A:
1. Tax exemption on property actually,
directly and exclusively used for
religiouspurposes;
2. Religiousinstructioninpublicschools:
a. Attheoptionofparents/guardians
expressedinwriting;
b. Within the regular class hours by
instructorsdesignatedorapproved
by religious authorities of the
religion to which the children
belong;
c. Without additional costs to the
government;
5. PostagestampsdepictingPhilippinesas
the venue of a significant religious
event benefit to the religious sect
involved was merely incidental as the
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Q:WhatistheLemontest?
A:Itisatesttodeterminewhetheranactofthe
government violates the nonestablishment
clause.TopasstheLemontest,agovernmentact
orpolicymust:
1. Haveasecularpurpose;
2. Notpromoteorfavoranysetofreligious
beliefsorreligiongenerally;and
3. Not get the government too closely
involved(entangled)withreligion.
Q:WhatistheCompellingStateInteresttest?
A:Itisthetestusedtodetermineiftheinterests
of the State are compelling enough to justify
infringement of religious freedom. It involves a
threestepprocess:
3. HastheStateinachievingitslegitimate
purposesusedtheleastintrusivemeans
possible so that the free exercise is not
infringed any more than necessary to
achievethelegitimategoaloftheState?
The analysis requires the State to
show that the means in which it is
achieving its legitimate State objective
is the least intrusive means, or it has
chosen a way to achieve its legitimate
State end that imposes as little as
possibleintrusiononreligiousbeliefs.
92
However,theMTRCBcannotbanthetapesonthe
ground that they attacked other religions. In
Iglesia ni Cristo v. CA, G.R. No. 119673, July 26,
1996, the Supreme Court held that: "Even a side
glanceatSec.3ofP.D.No.1986willrevealthatit
is not among the grounds to justify an order
prohibiting the broadcast of petitioner's
televisionprogram."
Q:X,acourtinterpreter,islivingwithamannot
her husband. Y filed the charge against X as he
believes that she is committing an immoral act
that tarnishes the image of the court, thus she
should not be allowed to remain employed
therein as it might appear that the court
condonesheract.Xadmittedthatshehasbeen
livingwithZwithoutthebenefitofmarriagefor
twentyyearsandthattheyhaveason.Butasa
member of the religious sect known as the
Jehovahs Witnesses and the Watch Tower and
BibleTractSociety,theirconjugalarrangementis
inconformitywiththeirreligiousbeliefs.Infact,
after ten years of living together, she executed
on July 28, 1991 a Declaration of Pledging
Faithfulness. Should Xs right to religious
freedom carve out an exception from the
prevailing jurisprudence on illicit relations for
which government employees are held
administrativelyliable?
A:Yes.Escritorsconjugalarrangementcannotbe
penalized as she has made out a case for
exemption from the law based on her
fundamental right to freedom of religion. The
Court recognizes that State interests must be
upheld in order that freedoms including
religious freedom may be enjoyed. In the area
of religious exercise as a preferred freedom,
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
however,manstandsaccountabletoanauthority
higher than the State, and so the State interest
sought to be upheld must be so compelling that
itsviolationwillerodetheveryfabricoftheState
thatwillalsoprotectthefreedom.Intheabsence
ofashowingthatsuchStateinterestexists,man
must be allowed to subscribe to the Infinite
(Estradav.Escritor,A.M.No.P021651,June22,
2006).
j.LIBERTYOFABODEANDRIGHTTOTRAVEL
Q:WhataretherightsguaranteedunderSection
6oftheBillofRights?
A:
a. Freedom to choose and change ones
placeofabode;and
b. Freedom to travel within the country
andoutside.
1.Limitations
Q:Whatisthelimitationonthelibertyof
abode?
2.ReturntoOnesCountry
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acceptedprincipleofInternationallaw,andunder
the Constitution, is part of the law of the land.
However,itisdistinctandseparatefromtheright
to travel and enjoys a differentprotection under
the Intl. Covenant of Civil and Political Rights.
(Marcos v. Manglapus, G.R. No. 88211, Sept. 15,
1989&Oct.27,1989)
Q:Whatisthelimitationontherighttotravel?
k.RIGHTTOINFORMATIONANDACCESSTO
PUBLICRECORDS
Q:Whatisthescopeoftheright?
TheSChasheldinChavezv.PEAandAMARI(G.R.
No. 133250, July 9, 2002) that the right to
information
contemplates
inclusion
of
negotiationsleadingtotheconsummationofthe
transaction.
94
1.Limitations
A:
GR: The access must be for a lawful purpose
andissubjecttoreasonableconditionsbythe
custodianoftherecords.
2.PublicationofLawsandRegulations
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
3.AccesstoCourtRecords
4.GovernmentContractNegotiations
A:ItisincumbentuponthePCGG,anditsofficers,
as well as other government representatives, to
disclose sufficient public information on any
proposed settlement they have decided to take
up with the ostensible owners and holders of ill
gotten wealth. Such information must pertain to
definitepropositionsofthegovernment.(Chavez
v.PCGG,G.R.No.130716,December9,1998)
5.DiplomaticNegotiations
Q:Petitionersrequestthattheybegivenacopy
of the text of the JPEPA and the offers and
negotiationsbetweenthePhilippinesandJapan.
Are these matters of public concern? Can they
bedisclosed?
l.FREEDOMOFASSOCIATION
A:Therighttounionizeisaneconomicandlabor
rightwhiletherighttoassociationingeneralisa
civilpoliticalright.
Q:Whatconstitutesfreedomofassociation?
m.EMINENTDOMAIN
1.AbandonmentofIntendedUseandRightof
Repurchase
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A:Whenlandhasbeenacquiredforpublicusein
feesimple,unconditionally,eitherbytheexercise
of eminent domain or by purchase, the former
ownerretainsnorightsintheland,andthepublic
use may be abandoned or the land may be
devoted to a different use, without any
impairmentoftheestateortitleacquired,orany
reversion to the former owner. (ATO petitioners,
vs.ApolonioGopuco,Jr.G.RNo.158563, June30,
2005)
2.MiscellaneousApplication
Q:CausbysuedtheUnitedStatesfortrespassing
on his land, complaining specifically about how
"lowflying military planes caused the plaintiffs'
chickens to 'jump up against the side of the
chicken house and the walls and burst
themselves open and die. Are they entitled to
compensationbyreasonoftakingclause?
A:Thereistakingbyreasonofthefrequencyand
altitude of the flights. Causby could not use his
landforanypurpose.(USv.Causby,328U.S.256,
1946)
96
Q:TheNationalHistoricalInstitutedeclaredthe
parceloflandownedbyPetitionersasanational
historicallandmark, because it was the site
ofthe birthof Felix Manalo, the founder of
Iglesia ni Cristo. The Republic of
thePhilippinesfiledanactiontoappropriatethe
land. Petitioners argued that the expropriation
wasnotforapublicpurpose.Isthiscorrect?
n.CONTRACTCLAUSEorNONIMPAIRMENT
CLAUSE
Q:Maylawsbeenactedeveniftheresultwould
betheimpairmentofcontracts?
A:
GR: Valid contracts should be respected by
the legislature and not tampered with by
subsequent laws that will change the
intentionofthepartiesormodifytheirrights
and obligations. The will of the parties to a
contractmustprevail. A later law which
enlarges,abridges,orinanymannerchanges
the intent of the parties to the contract
necessarily impairs the contract itself and
cannot be given retroactive effect without
violatingtheconstitutionalprohibitionagainst
impairment of contracts. (Sangalang v. IAC,
GRNo.71169,December22,1988)
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
Q:Whatconstitutesimpairment?
A:Anystatutewhichintroducesachangeintothe
express terms of the contract, or its legal
construction,oritsvalidity,oritsdischarge,orthe
remedyforitsenforcement,impairsthecontract.
(BlacksLawDictionary)
A:No,becauseanactofthePhil.Govtnegating
the commercial agreement between the two
airlines would infringe the vested rights of a
private individual. Since PAL was already under
private ownership at the time the CMU was
enteredinto,theCourtcannotpresumethatany
andallcommitmentsmadebythePhil.Govtare
unilaterally binding on the carrier even if this
comes at the expense of diplomatic
embarrassment. Even granting that the police
poweroftheStatemaybeexercisedtoimpairthe
vested rights of privatelyowned airlines, the
deprivationofpropertystillrequiresdueprocess
of law. (Kuwait Airline Corporation v. PAL, G.R.
No.156087,May8,2009)
Q:Maytherebeavalidimpairmentofcontracts
even if the act in question is done by an entity
otherthanthelegislature?
A:Yes.Theactneednotbebyalegislativeoffice;
but it should be legislative in nature. (Philippine
RuralElectricCooperativesAssoc.v.DILGSec,G.R.
No.143076,June10,2003)
o.LEGALASSISTANCEANDFREEACCESSTO
COURTS
Q.Whatisthesignificanceofthisprovision?
Theyneednotbepersonssopoorthattheymust
be supported at public expense. It suffices that
the plaintiff is indigent. And the difference
betweenpaupersandindigentpersonsisthatthe
latter are persons who have no property or
sources of income sufficient for their support
asidefromtheirownlaborthoughselfsupporting
when able to work and in employment. (Acar v.
Rosal,G.R.No.L21707,March18,1967)
p.RIGHTSOFSUSPECTS
Q:WhataretheMirandarights?
Thepurposeofprovidingcounseltoapersonunder
custodial investigation is to curb the policestate
practice of extracting a confession that leads
appellant to make selfincriminating statements.
(Peoplevs.Rapeza,GR169431,3April2007)
A:
1. Hecannotcrossexamine
2. No right to counsel except when
confessionisbeingobtained
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Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
97
3.
4.
5.
6.
Hecannotfilecomplaintorinformation
withoutauthority
Righttobepresentnotabsolute
Nodismissalwithoutapproval
Righttodiscoveryproceedings
1.Availability
Q:Whendotheserightsbecomeavailable?
A:Duringcustodialinvestigationorassoonasthe
investigation ceases to be a general inquiry unto
anunsolvedcrimeanddirectionisaimedupona
particular suspect, as when the suspect who has
beentakenintopolicecustodyandtowhomthe
police would then direct interrogatory questions
whichtendtoelicitincriminatingstatements.
Q:Xwascriminallycharged.Aninformationwas
filed against him and he was subsequently
arrested pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued
by the court. Later X executed an extrajudicial
confession thru a Sinumpaang Salaysay without
the assistance of counsel. Xs counsel moved
that the Sinumpaang Salaysay bedeclared
inadmissible in court since the same was in
violationofhisMirandaRights.Thecourtdenied
on the ground that the Miranda Rights are only
applicable during custodial investigation and
after the filing of the information he can no
longerinvokethesame.Decide.
A:Therightsarenotconfinedtothatperiodprior
tothefilingofacomplaintorinformationbutare
available at that stage when a person is under
investigation for the commission of the offense.
The fact that the framers of our Constitution did
98
notchoosetousethetermcustodialbyhaving
it inserted between the words under and
investigation goes to prove that it has
broadened the application of the Miranda
doctrine to investigation for commission of an
offenseofapersonnotincustodyalone.(People
v.Maqueda,G.R.No.112983,Mar.22,1995)
Q:WhenaretheMirandarightsunavailable?
A:
1. During a police lineup, unless
admissions or confessions are being
elicited from the suspect (Gamboa Vs.
Cruz,L56291,27Jun1988)
2. During administrative investigations
(Sebastian, Jr v Garchitorena, G.R. No
114028)
3. Confessionsmadebyanaccusedatthe
time he voluntarily surrendered to the
policeoroutsidethecontextofaformal
investigation;(PeoplevBaloloy,G.R.No
140740,April12,2002)and
4. Statements made to a private person
(People v Tawat, G.R. No 62871, May
25,1985)
2.Waiver
Q:Whataretherightsthatmaybewaived?
A:
1. Righttoremainsilent
2. Righttocounsel
3.Requisites
A:
1. Made voluntarily, knowingly and
intelligently
2. Waivershouldbemadeinwriting
3. Made with the presence of counsel
(PeoplevGalit,135SCRA465,1980)
Q:Isaconfessiongiventoamayoradmissiblein
court?
A:Yes,ifsuchconfessionwasgiventothemayor
as a confidant and not as a law enforcement
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
officer.Insuchcase,theuncounselledconfession
didnotviolatethesuspectsconstitutionalrights.
(People v Zuela, G.R. No 112177, January 28,
2000)
Note:WhattheConstitutionbarsisthecompulsory
disclosure of the incriminating facts or confessions.
TherightsunderSec.12areguaranteestopreclude
theslightestuseofcoercionbytheState,andnotto
prevent the suspect from freely and voluntarily
tellingthetruth.(Peoplev.Andan,G.R.No.116437,
Mar.3,1997)
A:Confessionsgiveninresponsetoaquestionby
news reporters, not policemen, are admissible.
Wherethesuspectgavespontaneousanswersto
a televised interview by several press reporters,
his answers aredeemed to be voluntary and are
admissible.
4.REPUBLICACT7438(ANACTDEFINING
CERTAINRIGHTSOFPERSONARRESTED,
DETAINEDORUNDERCUSTODIAL
INVESTIGATIONASWELLASTHEDUTIESOFTHE
ARRESTING,DETAININGANDINVESTIGATING
OFFICERS,ANDPROVIDINGPENALTIESFOR
VIOLATIONSTHEREOF)
Q:Whatistherelevanceofthisactinrelationto
RightsofSuspects?
A:ThisisinimplementationofArticleSection12
of the Constitution, enacted on 27 April 1992,
strengthens the rights of persons arrested,
detained or under custodial investigation stated
asMirandarightsandotherrightssuchas:
1. Anypersonarrested,detainedorunder
custodial investigation shall at all times
beassistedbycounsel.
2. The custodial investigation report shall
be reduced to writing by the
investigating office and it shall be read
andadequatelyexplainedtohimbyhis
counselorbytheassistingcounsel
3. Any extrajudicial confession made by a
person arrested, detained or under
custodial investigation shall be in
writingandsignedbysuchpersoninthe
presenceofhiscounsel
Note:AsusedthisAct,"custodialinvestigation"shall
include the practice of issuing an "invitation" to a
person who is investigated in connection with an
offenseheissuspectedtohavecommitted,without
prejudice to the liability of the "inviting" officer for
anyviolationoflaw.(RA7438)
5.ANTITORTUREACTOF2009(RA9745)
Q.Whatarethesalientfeaturesofthisact?
A.
1. Animpartial
investigationby
the
Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
99
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Note:Ifhe/shecannotaffordtheservicesofhis/her
own doctor, he/she will be provided by the State
with a competent and independent doctor to
conduct the physical examination. If the person
arrestedisfemale,shewillbeattendedtopreferably
by a female doctor. (AntiTorture Act of 2009 , RA
9745)
q.RIGHTSOFTHEACCUSED
Q:Whataretherightsoftheaccused?
A:Rightto:
1. Dueprocess
2. Bepresumedinnocent
3. Beheardbyhimselfandcounsel
4. Beinformedofthenatureandcauseof
theaccusationagainsthim
5. Aspeedy,impartialandpublictrial
6. Meetthewitnessesfacetoface
7. Havecompulsoryprocesstosecurethe
attendanceofwitnessesandproduction
ofevidenceonhisbehalf
8. Againstdoublejeopardy
9. Bail
1.CriminalDueProcess
A:
1. Accused is heard by a court of
competentjurisdiction
2. Accusedisproceededagainstunderthe
orderlyprocessesoflaw
100
3.
4.
Accusedisgivennoticeandopportunity
tobeheard
Judgment rendered was within the
authorityofaconstitutionallaw
Q:Isrighttoappealapartofdueprocess?
A:Therighttoappealisnotanaturalrightorpart
of due process. It is a mere statutory right, but
once given, denial constitutes violation of due
process
2.RighttoBail
Q:Whatismeantbybail?
Q:Whenmaytherighttobailbeinvoked?
Q:Whenisbailamatterofright?
A:Allpersonsincustodyshallbeadmittedtobail
asamatterofright,withsufficientsureties,orbe
releasedonrecognizanceasprescribedbylawor
theRulesofCourt.
Q:Whenisbailamatterofdiscretion?
Q:Whenshallbailbedenied?
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Q:Whoarenotentitledtobail?
A:
1. Persons charged with offenses
punishable by reclusion perpetua or
death,whenevidenceofguiltisstrong
2. Persons convicted by the trial court.
Bail is only discretionary pending
appeal
3. Persons who are members of the AFP
facingacourtmartial
A:
1. Financialabilityofaccused
2. Natureandcircumstancesofoffense
3. Penaltyforoffense
4. Characterandreputationofaccused
5. Ageandhealthofaccused
6. Weightofevidenceagainsthim
7. Probabilityofappearanceattrial
8.
9.
Forfeitureofotherbail
Whether he was a fugitive from justice
whenarrested
10. Pendencyofothercaseswhereheison
bail (Sunga v. Judge Salud, A.M. No.
2205MJ,Nov.19,1981)
Q:Shouldtherebeahearing?
Q:Istherighttobailavailabletoanalienduring
thependencyofdeportationproceedings?
3.PresumptionofInnocence
Q:Howisthepresumptionapplied?
A:Itcanbeinvokedonlybyanindividualaccused
of a criminal offense; a corporate entity has no
personalitytoinvokethesame.
Q:WhatistheEquipoiseRule?
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
101
Q:OZlostfiveheadsofcattlewhichhereported
to the police as stolen from his barn. He
requested several neighbors, including RR, for
helpinlookingforthemissinganimals.Afteran
extensivesearch,thepolicefound twoheadsin
RR's farm. RR could not explain to the police
how they got hidden in a remote area of his
farm. Insisting on his innocence, RR consulted
a lawyer who told him he has a right to be
presumedinnocentunderthe BillofRights.But
there is another presumption of theft arising
fromhisunexplainedpossessionofstolencattle
underthepenallaw.
A:Thetwopresumptionscanbereconciled.The
presumption of innocence stands until the
contrary is proved. It may be overcome by a
contrary presumption founded upon human
experience. The presumption that RR is the one
whostolethecattleofOZislogical,sincehewas
found in possession of the stolen cattle. RR
can prove his innocence by presenting evidence
to rebut the presumption. The burden of
evidenceisshiftedtoRR,becausehowhecame
into possession of the cattle is peculiarly within
hisknowledge.(DizonPamintuanv.People,G.R.
No.111426,July11,1994)
102
4.RighttobeHeardbyHimselfandCounsel
Q:Doesthisrightpertaintomerepresenceofa
lawyerinthecourtroom?
A:No.Theaccusedmustbeamplyaccordedlegal
assistance extended by a counsel who commits
himself to the cause of the defense and acts
accordingly; an efficient and truly decisive legal
assistance, and not simply a perfunctory
representation. (People v. Bermas, G.R. No.
120420,Apr.21,1999)
Q: Several individuals were tried and convicted
of Piracy in Philippine Waters as defined in PD
532.However,itwasdiscoveredthatthelawyer,
Mr. Posadas, who represented them was not a
member of the bar although evidence shows
that he was knowledgeable in the rules of legal
procedure.
The accused now allege that their conviction
shouldbesetasidesincetheyweredeprivedof
dueprocess.Aretheycorrect?
A:No.Sec.1ofRule115oftheRevisedRulesof
CriminalProcedurestatesthat"uponmotion,the
accused may be allowed to defend himself in
person when it sufficiently appears to the court
thathecanproperlyprotecthisrightswithoutthe
assistance of counsel." By analogy, but without
prejudicetothesanctionsimposedbylawforthe
illegalpracticeoflaw,it isamplyshownthatthe
rights of accused were sufficiently and properly
protected by the appearance of Mr. Posadas. An
examinationoftherecordwillshowthatheknew
the technical rules of procedure. Hence, there
was a valid waiver of the right to sufficient
representationduringthetrial,consideringthatit
was unequivocally, knowingly, and intelligently
made and with the full assistance of a bona fide
lawyer, Atty. Abdul Basar. Accordingly, denial of
due process cannot be successfully invoked
where a valid waiver of rights has been made.
(Peoplev.Tulin,G.R.111709,Aug.30,2001)
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
Q:Xwascriminallychargedincourt.Hehiredas
counsel Y, who has many highprofile clients.
Due to his many clients, Y cannot attend the
hearing of the case of X. He requested many
timestohavethehearingspostponed.Thecase
dragged on slowly. The judge in his desire to
finish the caseas early as practicable under the
continuous trial system appointed a counsel de
officioandwithdrewthecounseldeparte.Isthe
actionofthejudgevalid?
5.RighttobeInformedoftheNatureandCause
ofAccusation
Q:Whatistherationaleforthisright?
A:
1. To furnish the accused with such a
descriptionofthechargeagainsthimaswill
enablehimtomakehisdefense
2. To avail himself of his conviction or
acquittal for protection against further
prosecutionforthesamecause
3. To inform the court of the facts alleged so
that it may decide whether they are
sufficient in law to support a conviction, if
oneshouldbehad(USv.KarelsenG.R.No.
1376,Jan.21,1904)
Q:Whatwoulddeterminethenatureandcause
ofaccusation?
A:
1. Informationmuststatethenameofthe
accused
2. Designation given to the offense by
statute
3. Statement of the acts or omission so
complained of as constituting the
offense
4. Nameoftheoffendedparty
5. Approximate time and date of
commissionoftheoffense
6. Placewhereoffensewascommitted
7. Every element of the offense must be
allegedinthecomplaintorinformation
A:Theaccusedcannotbeconvictedthereofeven
if the prosecution is able to present evidence
duringthetrialwithrespecttosuchelements.
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
103
A:No.However,thedefensemaywaivetheright
to enter a plea and let the court enter a plea of
notguilty.
6.RighttoSpeedy,ImpartialandPublic
Q:Whatismeantbyspeedytrial?
A:Thetermspeedymeansfreefromvexatious,
capricious and oppressive delays. The factors to
beconsideredare:
1. Time expired from the filing of
information
2. Lengthofdelay
3. Reasonsforthedelay
4. Assertion or nonassertion of the right
bytheaccused
5. Prejudicecausedtothedefendant
Q:Whatismeantbyimpartialtrial?
A:Theaccusedisentitledtocoldneutralityofan
impartial judge, one who is free from interest or
bias.
Q:Whymustthetrialbepublic?
A:Itisinordertopreventpossibleabuseswhich
may be committed against the accused. The
attendanceatthetrialisopentoall,irrespective
of their relationship to the accused. However, if
the evidence to be adduced is offensive to
decency or public morals, the public may be
excluded.
7.RighttoMeettheWitnesses
FacetoFace
A:Primarily,toaffordtheaccusedanopportunity
to test the testimony of a witness by cross
examination, and secondarily, to allow the judge
toobservethedeportmentofthewitness
Q:Whatistheeffectoffailuretocrossexamine?
A:Ifthefailureoftheaccusedtocrossexaminea
witnessisduetohisownfaultorwasnotdueto
104
thefaultoftheprosecution,thetestimonyofthe
witnessshouldnotbeexcluded.
8.RighttoCompulsoryProcesstoSecure
AttendanceofWitnessandProductionof
Evidence
A:
1. Subpoena ad testificandum and
subpoenaducestecum
2. Depositions and other modes of
discovery
3. Perpetuationoftestimonies
Q:Whatisthedifferencebetweensubpoenaad
testificandumandsubpoenaducestecum?
A:
AdTestificandum
Aprocessdirectedtoaperson
requiringhimtoattendandto
testifyatthehearingortrialof
anaction,oratany
investigationconductedby
competentauthority,orfor
thetakingofhisdeposition.
DucesTecum
Thepersonisalso
requiredtobring
withhimany
books,
documents,or
otherthings
underhiscontrol.
Q:Whataretherequirementsfortheexerciseof
therighttosecureattendanceofwitness?
A:
1. Thewitnessisreallymaterial
2. The attendance of the witness was
previouslyobtained
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
3.
2.
Thewitnesswillbeavailableatthetime
desired
Nosimilarevidencecouldbeobtained
4.
Q:Whataretheprincipalexceptionstotheright
ofconfrontation?
A:
1. Admissibility of dying declarations and
allexceptionstothehearsayrule
2. TrialinabsentiaunderSec.14(2)ofArt.
IIIoftheConstitution
3. Withrespecttochildtestimony
9.TrialinAbsentia
Q:Whenmaytrialinabsentiaproceed?
1. Accusedhasbeenvalidlyarraigned
2. Accused has been duly notified of the
datesofhearing
3. Failuretoappearisunjustifiable
Q:Isthepresenceoftheaccusedmandatory?
A:Yes,inthefollowinginstances:
1. Duringarraignmentandplea
2. During trial, for identification, unless
the accused has already stipulated on
hisidentityduringthepretrialandthat
he is the one who will be identified by
the witnesses as the accused in the
criminalcase
3. During promulgation of sentence,
unlessforalightoffense
r.PRIVILEGEOFWRITOFHABEASCORPUS
Q:WhatistheWritofHabeasCorpus?
A:WritofHabeasCorpusisawritdirectedtothe
person detaining another, commanding him to
producethebodyofthedetaineeatadesignated
time and place, and to show the cause of his
detention.
A:Theprivilegeofthewritmaybesuspendedby
the President, provided that the following
requisitesarepresent:
1. Existenceofactualinvasionorrebellion
2. Publicsafetyrequiresthesuspension
Q:Towhatsituationsdoesthewritapply?
A:TheWritofHabeasCorpusextendstoallcases
of illegal confinement or detention by which any
personisdeprivedofhisliberty,orbywhichthe
rightful custody of any person is withheld from
theoneentitledthereto.
Q:MaytheWritofHabeasCorpusbeusedasa
means of obtaining evidence on the
whereaboutsofaperson?
A:InMartinezv.Mendoza(499SCRA2342006),
theCourtheldthatthegrantofreliefinahabeas
corpus proceeding is not predicated on the
disappearance of a person, but on his illegal
detention. It may not be used as a means of
obtaining evidence on the whereabouts of a
person, or as a means of finding out who has
specificallyabductedorcausedthedisappearance
of a certain person. When forcible taking and
disappearancenotarrestanddetentionhave
been alleged, the proper remedy is not habeas
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
105
Q:Xwasarrestedbythemilitaryonthebasisof
a mission order issued by the Department of
Defense.Apetitionforhabeascorpuswasfiled.
The writ was issued. Later an information for
rebellionwasfiledagainstX.Themilitarymoved
thatthepetitionshouldbedismissedforhaving
becomemootandacademic.Decide.
1.WritofAmparo
Q:WhatistheWritofAmparo?
A: It is a remedy available to any person whose
right to life, liberty, and security has been
violated or is threatened with violation by an
unlawful act or omission of a public official or
employee,orofaprivateindividualorentity.The
writ covers extralegal killings and enforced
disappearances or threats thereof. (Rule on Writ
ofAmparo)
Q:Whatareextralegalkillings?
A:Killingscommittedwithoutdueprocessoflaw,
i.e., without legal safeguards or judicial
proceedings.
Q:Whatconstitutesenforceddisappearances?
Q:WhatarethemainadvantagesoftheWritof
AmparoovertheWritofHabeasCorpus?
A:
WritofAmparo
Interimreliefs,suchas
106
WritofHabeasCorpus
Nointerimreliefs
temporaryprotection
order,witness
protectionorder,
inspectionorderand
productionorder,are
available
Coversactswhich
violateorthreatento
violatetherighttolife,
libertyandsecurity
Generaldenialisnot
allowed;detailedreturn
isrequiredofthe
respondent
Nopresumptionof
regularity;mustprove
observanceof
extraordinarydiligence
Enforceableanywherein
thePhilippines
Exemptedfrompayment
ofdocketfees
Releaseofdetained
persondoesnotrender
thepetitionmootand
academic
Limitedtocases
involvingactualviolation
ofrighttoliberty
Meredenialisaground
fordismissalofthe
petition
Presumptionofregular
performanceofofficial
duty
Onlyenforceable
anywhereinthePhil.if
filedwiththeCAorSC
justice
Notexempted
Releaseofdetained
personrendersitmoot
andacademic
Q:Engr.Tagitisdisappearedonedayandhiswife
filedapetitionfortheWritofAmparowiththe
CA directed against the PNP, claiming that the
unexplained uncooperative behaviour of the
respondents request for help and their failure
and refusal to extend assistance in locating the
whereabouts of Tagitis were indicative of their
actual physical possession and custody of the
missingengineer.ThePNPwasheldresponsible
for the enforced disappearance of Engr.
Tagitis.Isthisvalid?
A: Yes. The government in general, through the
PNP and the PNPCIDG, and in particular, the
Chiefs of these organizations together with Col.
Kasim, should be held fully accountable for the
enforced disappearance of Tagitis. Given their
mandates, the PNP and the PNPCIDG officials
andmembersweretheoneswhowereremissin
their duties when the government completely
failedtoexerciseextraordinarydiligencethatthe
Amparo rule requires. (Razon v. Tagitis, G.R. No.
182498,Dec.3,2009)
Q: Fr. Reyes was charged withrebellion andhis
name was included in the hold departure list.
The case was later on dismissed but the Hold
Departure Order still subsisted. Can the Writ of
Amparobeinvokedtoprotecthisrighttotravel?
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
s.RIGHTAGAINSTSELFINCRIMINATION
Q:Whenistherightavailable?
Q:Whenisaquestionincriminating?
Theprivilegeagainstselfincriminationisnotself
executingorautomaticallyoperational.Itmustbe
claimed.Itfollowsthattherightmaybewaived,
expressly, or impliedly, as by a failure to claim it
attheappropriatetime.
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
Facultad de Derecho Civil
V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
VICECHAIRSFORLAYOUTANDDESIGN:EARLLOUIEM.MASACAYAN&THEENAC.MARTINEZ
107
A:
Accused
Canrefusetotakethe
witnessstandaltogether
byinvokingtheright
againstself
incrimination
OrdinaryWitness
Cannot refuse to take
the witness stand; can
only refuse to answer
specific questions which
wouldincriminatehimin
the commission of an
offense
1.ScopeandCoverage
Q:WhatisthescopeofthePrivilegeagainstSelf
incrimination?
Whatisprohibitedistheuseofphysicalormoral
compulsion to extort communication from the
witness or to otherwise elicit evidence which
would not exist were it not for the actions
compelledfromthewitness.
A:Yes.Apersonwhoismadetoreenactacrime
may rightfully invoke his privilege against self
incrimination, because by his conduct of acting
outhowthecrimewassupposedlycommitted,he
thereby practically confesses his guilt by action
whichisaseloquent,ifnotmoreso,thanwords.
Q:FiscalApetitionedthelowercourttoorderX
toappearbeforetheformertotakedictationin
Xs own handwriting to determine whether or
not it was X who wrote certain documents
108
2.ImmunityStatutes
A:
DerivativeUse
Immunity
Whateveriselicited
fromthewitness,aswell
asanyotherevidence
whichtheinvestigators
wereledtobecauseof
thetestimonygiven,
wouldnotbeadmissible
inevidenceagainstthe
witness
TransactionalImmunity
Witnessisimmunized
fromprosecutionin
relationtothecrimein
whichhewascompelled
toprovidetestimony
Q:RepublicofthePhilippinesfiledacaseagainst
WestinghouseCorporationbeforetheUSDistrict
Court due to the belief that Westinghouse
contract for the construction of the Bataan
Nuclear power plant, which was brokered by
HerminiosDisiniscompany,hadbeenattended
by anomalies. Having worked as Herminios
executive in the latters company for 15 years,
the Republic asked Jesus Disini to give his
testimonyregardingthecase.
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
A:No.Acontractisthelawbetweentheparties.
It cannot be withdrawn except by their mutual
consent.Inthecaseatbar,theRepublic,through
thePCGG,offeredJesusnotonlycriminalandcivil
immunity but also immunity against being
compelledtotestifyinanyproceedingotherthan
the civil and arbitration cases identified in the
agreement, just so he would agree to testify.
WhentheRepublicenteredinsuchagreement,it
needs to fulfill its obligations honorably as Jesus
did. The government should be fair. (Disini v.
Sandiganbayan,G.R.No.180564,June22,2010)
A:
1. None. In the case at bar, X and Y were under
thedirectiveoflawandunderthecompulsionof
fearforthecontemptpowersoftheBoard.They
were left with no choice but to provide
testimoniesbeforetheBoard.
A:Whentheprivilegeagainstselfincriminationis
violatedoutsideofcourt,say,bythepolice,then
thetestimony,asalreadynoted,isnotadmissible
under the exclusionary rule. When the privilege
isviolatedbythecourtitself,thatis,bythejudge,
the court is ousted of its jurisdiction, all its
proceedings are null and void, and it is as if no
judgmenthasbeenrendered.(Chavezv.CA,G.R.
No.L29169,Aug.19,1968)
Q:R.A.9165requiresmandatorydrugtestingfor
persons charged before the prosecutors office
with criminal offenses punishable with 6 years
and 1 day imprisonment. Petitioner SJS
questionstheconstitutionalityofthelawonthe
ground that it violates the rights to privacy and
againstselfincriminationofanaccused.Decide.
A:TheCourtfindsthesituationentirelydifferent
in the case of persons charged before the public
prosecutors office with criminal offenses
punishable with imprisonment. The operative
concepts in the mandatory drug testing are
randomnessandsuspicionless.Inthecaseof
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109
t.RIGHTAGAINSTINVOLUNTARYSERVITUDE
Q:Whatisinvoluntaryservitude?
GR:Noinvoluntaryservitudeshallexist.
XPNs:
1. Punishment for a crime for which the
partyhasbeendulyconvicted
2. Personal military or civil service in the
interestofnationaldefense
3. In naval enlistment, a person who
enlists in a merchant ship may be
compelledtoremaininserviceuntilthe
endofavoyage
4. Posse comitatus or the conscription of
ablebodied men for the apprehension
ofcriminals
5. Return to work order issued by the
DOLESecretaryorthePresident
6. Minors under patria potestas are
obligedtoobeytheirparents
u.PROHIBITEDPUNISHMENTANDPOLITICAL
PRISONERS
110
Q:Whatarethepunishmentscovered?
Q:Whenisapenaltycruelandinhuman?
Q:Whenisapenaltydegrading?
A:Apenaltyisdegradingifitexposesapersonto
publichumiliation.
Q:Whatarethestandardsusedtodetermineif
thepenaltyiscruelandinhuman?
A:
1. Thepunishmentmustnotbesosevere
as to be degrading to the dignity of
humanbeings
2. Itmustnotbeappliedarbitrarily
3. It must not be unacceptable to
contemporarysociety
4. It must not be excessive, and it must
serveapenalpurposemoreeffectively
thanalessseverepunishmentwould
5. Excessive fine, or one which is
disproportionatetotheoffense
v.NONIMPRISONMENTFORDEBT
Q:Whatisthecoverageofthissection?
A:
1. Debt any civil obligation arising from
contract
2. Polltaxaspecificsumlevieduponany
person belonging to a certain class
without regard to property or
occupation(e.g.Communitytax)
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
BILL OF RIGHTS
A:Generally,adebtorcannotbeimprisonedfor
failuretopayhisdebt.However,ifhecontracted
hisdebtthroughfraud,hecanbevalidlypunished
inacriminalactionashisresponsibilityarisesnot
fromthecontractofloanbutfromcommissionof
a crime. (Lozano v. Martinez, G.R. No. L63419,
Dec.18,1986)
w.DOUBLEJEOPARDY
Q:WhatisDoubleJeopardy?
Q:Whatarethetwotypesofdoublejeopardy?
A:
1. Nopersonshallbetwiceputinjeopardy
ofpunishmentforthesameoffense
2. If an act is punished by a law and an
ordinance,convictionoracquittalunder
either shall constitute a bar to another
prosecutionforthesameact
Q:Whenwilldoublejeopardyattach?
A:
1. The first jeopardy must have attached
priortothesecond
2. The first jeopardy must have been
validlyterminated
3. The second jeopardy must be for the
commissionofthesameoffenseorthe
second offense must include or is
necessarily included in the first
information,orisanattempttocommit
thesameorafrustrationthereof
Q:Whataretherequisitesofdoublejeopardy?
A:
1. Courtofcompetentjurisdiction
2. A Complaint or Information sufficient in
form and substance to sustain a
conviction
3. Arraignmentandpleabytheaccused;
4. Conviction, acquittal, or dismissal of the
case without the express consent of the
accused.(Sec7,Rule117,RulesofCourt;
Peoplev.Obsania,G.R.No.L24447,June
29,1968)
A:
GR:Doublejeopardyisnotavailablewhenthe
caseisdismissedotherthanonthemeritsor
other than by acquittal or conviction upon
motionoftheaccusedpersonally,orthrough
counsel, since such dismissal is regarded as
with express consent of the accused, who is
thereforedeemedtohavewaivedtherightto
pleadoublejeopardy.
XPNs:
1. Dismissal based on insufficiency of
evidence
2. Dismissalbecauseofdenialofaccuseds
righttospeedytrial
3. Accused is discharged to be a State
witness
Q:WhatistheDoctrineofSuperveningEvent?
A:Itallowstheprosecutionofanotheroffenseif
subsequent development changes the character
of the first indictment under which he may have
alreadybeenchargedorconvicted.
Q:Willtheconvictionofanaccusedbaranother
prosecution for an offense which necessarily
includestheoffenseoriginallycharged?
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UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
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111
A:Thefirstjeopardyhasnotyetattached.There
is no question that four of the five elements of
legal jeopardy are present. However, the last
elementvalidconviction,acquittal,dismissalor
termination of the case is wanting since the
right to due process was violated. (People v.
Dumlao,G.R.No.168918,Mar.2,2009)
x.EXPOSTFACTOLAWAND
BILLOFATTAINDER
Q:Whatarethekindsofexpostfactolaw?
A:Itcanbealawthat:
1. Makesanact,whichwasinnocentwhen
done,criminalandpunishessuchaction
2. Aggravates a crime or makes it greater
thanwhenitwascommitted
3. Changes the punishment and inflicts a
greater punishment than the law
annexed to the crime when it was
committed
4. Alters the legal rules of evidence and
receiveslessordifferenttestimonythan
the law required at the time of the
commission of the offense in order to
convictthedefendant
5. Assumes to regulate civil rights and
remedies only. In effect imposes
112
6.
Q:Whatisabillofattainder?
Q:Whatarethetwokindsofbillofattainder?
A:
1. Bill of attainder proper (legislative
impositionofthedeathpenalty)
2. Billofpainsandpenalties(impositionof
alesserpenalty).
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
CITIZENSHIP
H.CITIZENSHIP
Q:Whatiscitizenship?
Q:Whatarethemodesofacquiringcitizenship?
A:
1. Bybirth
1. Jus sanguinis acquisition of
citizenship on the basis of blood
relationship.
2. Jus soli acquisition of citizenship
onthebasisoftheplaceofbirth.
3. Bymarriage
Note:Jussanguinisandnaturalizationarethemodes
followedinthePhilippines.
Q:Cantherebejudicialdeclarationthataperson
isaFilipinocitizen?Why?
Q:WhoarecitizensofthePhilippines?
A:
1. Those who are Filipino citizens at the
time of the adoption of the 1987
Constitution:
a. Those who are citizens under the
TreatyofParis;
b. Those declared citizens by judicial
declaration applying the jus soli
principle, before Tio Tam v.
Republic,25Apr.1957,G.R.No.L
9602.
c. Those who are naturalized in
accordancewithlaw.(Act2927)
d. Those who are citizens under the
1935Constitution.
e. Those who are citizens under the
1973Constitution.
3. ThosebornbeforeJanuary17,1973,of
Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine
4.
Q:WhatistheCaramRule?
A:Underthe1935Constitution,thoseborninthe
Philippines of foreign parent, who before the
adoptionoftheConstitutionhadbeenelectedto
public office, are considered Filipino citizens.
(Chiongbian v. de Leon, G.R. No. L2007, Jan. 31,
1949)
Q:Whoarenaturalborncitizens?
A:
1. Citizens of the Philippines from birth
without having to perform any act to
acquire or perfect their Philippine
citizenship
A:
GR:TheFilipinoretainsPhilippinecitizenship.
Q:Statethequalificationsfornaturalization.
A:
1. Not less than 18 years of age on the
date of hearing the petition (as
amendedbyR.A.6809);
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UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
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113
a.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Character
1. Goodmoralcharacter
2. BelievesintheConstitution
3. Conducted
himself
in
an
irreproachable conduct during his
stayinthePhilippines
Enrolledminorchildreninanypublicor
private school recognized by the
government where Philippine history,
government and civics are taught as
partofthecurriculum,duringtheentire
period of residence prior to hearing of
petition.
Q:Whoaredisqualifiedfornaturalization?
A:
1. Persons opposed to organized
government or affiliated with any
association or group of persons which
upholdandteachdoctrinesopposingall
organizedgovernments
2. Personsdefendingorteachingnecessity
or propriety of violence, personal
assault or assassination for the success
orpredominanceoftheirideas
3. Polygamistsorbelieversofpolygamy
4. Persons suffering from mental
alienation or incurable contagious
disease
5. Persons convicted of crime involving
moralturpitude
114
6.
7.
8.
A:Directnaturalizationiseffected:
1. By individual proceedings, usually
judicial, under general naturalization
laws
2. By specific act of the legislature, often
infavorofdistinguishedforeignerswho
have rendered some notable service to
thelocalstate
3. By collective change of nationality
(naturalization en masse) as a result of
cessionorsubjugation
4. In some cases, by adoption of orphan
minors as nationals of the State where
theyareborn
Derivativenaturalizationisconferred:
1. Onthewifeofthenaturalizedhusband
2. Ontheminorchildrenofthenaturalized
parent
3. Onthealienwomanuponmarriagetoa
national
4. The
unmarried
child
whether
legitimate, illegitimate or adopted,
below18yearsofage,ofthosewhore
acquire Philippine citizenship upon
effectivityofR.A.9225shallbedeemed
citizensofthePhilippines.
Q:Whataretheeffectsofnaturalization?
A:
ONTHEWIFE
Vestscitizenshiponthewifewhomightherselfbe
lawfullynaturalized;Sheneednotproveher
qualificationsbutonlythatsheisnotdisqualified.
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
CITIZENSHIP
(MoyYaLimYaov.Comm.ofImmigration,G.R.No.
L21289,Oct.4,1971.)
Note:Themereapplicationorpossession
of an alien certificate ofregistrationdoes
not amount to renunciation (Mercado v.
Manzano, G.R. No. 135083, May 26,
1999).
ONTHEMINORCHILDREN
BorninthePhilippines
Automaticallybecomesacitizen
BornAbroad
Beforethenaturalizationofthefather
IfresidinginthePhil.At
thetimeofnaturalization
3.
Automatically
becomesacitizen.
GR:Consideredcitizen
onlyduringminority
IfnotresidinginthePhil.
Atthetimeof
XPN:Hebeginsto
naturalization
residepermanentlyin
thePhil.
Afterparentsnaturalization
ConsideredFilipino,
providedregisteredassuchbeforeanyPhil.
consulatewithin1yearafterattainingmajorityage
andtakesoathofallegiance.
Q:Whatarethegroundsfordenaturalization?
A:
1. Naturalization certificate obtained
fraudulentlyorillegally
2. If, within 5 years, he returns to his
native country or to some foreign
country and establishes residence
therein
3. Naturalization obtained through invalid
declarationofintention
4. Minor children failed to graduate
through the fault of parents either by
neglecting support or by transferring
themtoanotherschool
5. Allowing himself to be used as a
dummy.
Q:Whataretheeffectsofdenaturalization?
A:
1. If ground affects intrinsic validity of
proceedings, denaturalization shall
divest wife and children of their
derivativenaturalization
2. If the ground is personal, the wife and
childrenshallretaincitizenship.
A:
1. Naturalizationinaforeigncountry;or
4.
5.
Cancellation
of
naturalization;or
certificate
of
6.
7.
Havingbeendeclaredbyfinaljudgment
a deserter of the armed forces of the
Philippinesintimesofwar.
Incaseofawoman,uponhermarriage,
toaforeignerif,byvirtueofthelawsin
force in her husbands country, she
acquireshisnationality.
Q:Howiscitizenshiprenounced?
Q:Doesresjudicatasetincitizenshipcases?
A:
GR:No.
XPN:
1.Personscitizenshipisresolvedbyacourt
or an administrative body as a material
issueinthecontroversy,afterafullblown
hearing
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115
3.Findingofhiscitizenshipisaffirmedbythe
SupremeCourt.(Burcav.RepublicG.R.No.
L24252,Jan.30,1967)
Q:Whatarethewaystoreacquirecitizenship?
A:By:
1. Naturalization
2. Repatriation
3. DirectactofCongress
Q:Distinguishnaturalizationfromrepatriation.
Naturalization
Repatriation
Nature
Amodeofacquisition
andreacquisitionof
Philippinecitizenship
Modeofreacquisitionof
PhilippineCitizenship
1.
NaturalborncitizensofthePhilippines
who have lost their naturalization as
citizens of a foreign country are
deemedtohavereacquiredPhilippine
citizenship;and
2.
NaturalborncitizensofthePhilippines
who, after the effectivity of said RA,
become citizens of a foreign country
shallretaintheirPhilippinecitizenship.
A:
DualCitizenship
Ariseswhen,asaresultof
concurrentapplicationof
thedifferentlawsoftwo
ormoreStates,apersonis
simultaneouslyconsidered
acitizenofsaidstates.
Astoprocess
Verycumbersomeand
tedious
Simplerprocess
Q:Howisrepatriationeffected?
Q:Whatistheeffectofrepatriation?
116
Involuntary
DualAllegiance
Referstothesituation
whereaperson
simultaneouslyowes,
bysomepositiveact,
loyaltytotwoormore
States.
Resultofan
individualsvolition
andisprohibitedby
theConstitution.
2. ElectivePublicOffice:
i.
Possess qualification for holding
such public office as required by
theConstitutionandexistinglaws
ii.
Make a personal and sworn
renunciationofanyandallforeign
citizenship before any public
officerauthorizedtoadministeran
oath,atthetimeofthefilingofthe
certificateofcandidacy.
iii.
AppointivePublicOfficesubscribe
andsweartoanoathofallegiance
to the Republic of the Philippines
anditsdulyconstitutedauthorities
prior to their assumption of
POLITICALLAWTEAM:
ADVISER:ATTY.EDWINREYSANDOVAL;SUBJECTHEAD:RACHELMARIEL.FELICES;ASST.SUBJECTHEADS:WIVINOE.BRACEROII&
HERAZEUSCHRISTINEY.UY;MEMBERS
:LAWRENCEPAULOH.AQUINO,LEANDRORODELV.ATIENZA,MARINETHEASTERAND.AYOS,
CARLOR.BALA,WILFREDOT.BONILLA,JR.,KEELACHERNARR.DINOY,APRILV.ENRILE,KENNETHJAMESCARLOC.HIZON,JOSEMARIA
G.MENDOZA,ROGERCHRISTOPHERR.REYES,ROMILINDAC.SIBAL,JASMINM.SISON,ZARAHPATRICIAT.SUAREZ,RALPHJULIOUSL.
VILLAMOR.
CITIZENSHIP
office:Provided,
That
they
renounce their oath of allegiance
to the country where they took
thatoath;
iv.
Practiceofprofession:applywiththe
proper authority for a license or
permit to engage in such practice
(R.A.9225).
A:No,thefactthatapersonhasdualcitizenship
does not disqualify him from running for public
office. (Cordora v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 176947,
Feb.19,2009)
A:Yes. Section5(2)ofR.A.9225(onthemaking
ofapersonalandswornrenunciationofanyand
all foreign citizenship) requires the Filipinos
availingthemselvesofthebenefitsunderthesaid
Acttoaccomplishanundertakingotherthanthat
whichtheyhavepresumablycompliedwithunder
Section 3 thereof (oath of allegiance to the
RepublicofthePhilippines).Thereislittledoubt,
therefore, that the intent of the legislators was
notonlyforFilipinosreacquiringorretainingtheir
Philippine citizenship under R.A. 9225 to take
their oath of allegiance to the Republic of the
TheoathofallegiancecontainedintheCertificate
of Candidacy, does not constitute the personal
andswornrenunciationsoughtunderSection5(2)
ofR.A.No.9225.Itbearstoemphasizethatthe
said oath of allegiance is a general requirement
for all those who wish to run as candidates in
Philippine elections; while the renunciation of
foreign citizenship is an additional requisite only
for those who have retained or reacquired
Philippine citizenship under R.A. No. 9225 and
who seek elective public posts, considering their
special circumstance of having more than one
citizenship.(Jacotv.Dal,G.R.No.179848,Nov.27,
2008)
Q:Aisanaturalizedcitizenofanothercountry
whoreacquiresFilipinocitizenship.Ontheother
hand, B possesses dual citizenship by birth. If
theydesiretorunforelectivepublicoffice,what
requirement must they comply as regards their
citizenship?
Bneednotcomplywiththetwinrequirementsof
swearing an oath of allegiance and executing a
renunciationofforeigncitizenshipbecauseheisa
naturalborn Filipino who did not subsequently
become a naturalized citizen of another country.
Itissufficed,ifuponthefilingofhiscertificateof
candidacy, he elects Philippine citizenship to
terminate his status as person with dual
citizenship considering that his condition in the
unavoidable consequence of conflicting laws of
different States. (Cordora v. COMELEC, G.R. No.
176947,Feb.19,2009)
ACADEMICSCHAIR:LESTERJAYALANE.FLORESII
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
VICECHAIRSFORACADEMICS:KARENJOYG.SABUGO&JOHNHENRYC.MENDOZA
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V ICECHAIRFORADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCE:JEANELLEC.LEE
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117